Julian's mind went blank at that moment. What is going on right now? He tried to push the Emperor off, but his strength was far too inferior, and the Emperor's grip on him was firm, until he bit Julian's lips.
The copper tang of blood filled Julian's mouth as Aurelian's teeth sank into his lip—a sharp, stinging reminder that this wasn't a dream, but a violation. Julian's hands began to tremble, dread filling him as his own blood slowly flowed down from his lips.
"Your Majesty!" Kaelen yelled, his voice echoing from behind the glass, followed by the screech of steel against steel as the Imperial guards crossed their halberds to block the doorway.
The Solvar, once a place of beauty, felt like a tomb. Liora had covered her mouth with both hands, her eyes brimming with a confused, terrifying realization, while Cassian had stood up so abruptly his chair clattered to the floor.
It was Lucius who broke the spell.
