Serena walked into dinner, fingers interlocked with Dex's. Tonight, King Tiberon had personally requested her presence.
The formal dining hall was warm, low-lit with golden sconces and high banners swaying in the draft, but the warmth hit a wall the moment she saw who else was seated.
To her surprise, Queen Bellatrix was there.
Her expression was one of disdain. She immediately spoke, eyes on Serena, voice loud and projected.
"Ah. Yes. The temporary companion of my son. Known as Skeletor Silver-Whore."
Serena almost laughed. She had saved this woman's life. And still.
She was going to ignore it. Truly. She was going to let it go.
But Dex didn't. He turned his head, voice cold and sharp enough to draw blood.
"Don't call her that or speak to her in that way. Apologize, or we leave."
Queen Bellatrix smiled.
"My apologies," she replied with a tone that could sand paint off a wall. "I forgot commoners bruise so easily these days."
