The war room was tense.
Serena met Dex's eyes for a moment. She looked like she wanted to say something. But then she looked away, swallowing.
"What is it?" Dex asked.
"Where's Hyran?" she asked. "I haven't seen him all day."
"He's handling crown business," Dex said, reaching for his goblet of water. "He'll be back soon. Probably complaining about something within five minutes of walking through the door."
Before she could push further, the door opened and King Tiberon walked in. The temperature in the room shifted immediately. Conversations died.
Everyone rose to their feet, Serena and Dex included.
To Serena's shock, Bellatrix was behind him. This was a full house outside of Hyran.
Tiberon's gaze swept the room. Something softened almost imperceptibly when he looked at Serena and Dex.
"Good. She's here," he said. He moved to the head of the table. Bellatrix at his right. Everyone else sat only after he did. Elara made eye contact with Serena from across the table.
