King Tiberon saw Serena and gave her a nod. All heads turned and everyone immediately fell to one knee.
It felt just as uncomfortable and shocking as the first time. Serena's face flushed, mercifully hidden by the dark.
Hyran and Alaric also went to one knee at that moment.
Fin and Aeron exchanged a brief glance, stunned. A king bowed to a princess. And not just any king. A military genius. Tiberon was known to be cutthroat and ruthless.
Serena's emotions washed into Fin with clarity through the matebond. She was just as surprised as they were by the bowing and she wished they would stop doing that. He shook his head, fighting the urge to grin. Everything she did made him like her more.
"You honor me. I thank you," she said, her tone gracious and steady, betraying none of the turmoil beneath.
"The honor is ours," King Tiberon responded as he rose. Everyone stood with him.
