His eyes widened as panic took told, then he began staggering because breathing was failing him.
Merlin had just deceived the mind of the second prince to believe with absolute certainty that it was drowning. So his physical body responded to that illusion.
"Alistair! what are you doing?" Rayla asked, rising halfway from her seat.
The others turned as well, their reactions varying between confusion and concern as Archibald struggled.
Alistair didn't look at any of them, but after a moment, he said. "Stop."
It ended instantly and Archibald sucked in a harsh breath, collapsing forward as the pressure vanished. He steadied himself quickly, dragging air back into his lungs, but his eyes never left Alistair.
The look he gave him was dark and devious.
But Alistair met those gaze just the same. Then spoke "I just mourned one sibling, don't make me mourn another."
Archibald didn't respond. He only continued to stare furiously.
Right then, a distant explosion thundered from above.
