Fire crackled in the hearth, but the warmth in House Elarin's study was all for show.
The tension in the room didn't allow comfort.
It was cold.
Heavy curtains drowned the light, and the long table in the center looked more like a warboard than a place of discussion.
Maps. Ledgers.
A few aged bottles of wine unopened. Dust had started to gather on the edges.
Velrosa stood at the head of it, her silver hair pinned back, a long midnight coat spilling down her form like a second shadow. The others were already seated—Eli, cross-armed and silent in the corner; Elise, cold-eyed and focused; Ian, relaxed but alert; and Rat, hands steepled in front of him, as if calculating the weight of everyone's silence.
The princess didn't waste time.
"Phase One," she began, voice smooth but edged with steel. "Arena ascendancy is making great progress."
She looked toward Ian, a small nod given.
