Aclaric's face grew hard. "What are you talking about, keep him alive?"
Emperor Ezekiel drew a heavy sigh as his eyes lowered briefly to the intricately patterned floor on which they stood. "I'm just saving him, Aclaric. That's enough for now that you need to know."
Tightly clamped in his fists was the box, and his jaw was tensed. For a long while, he stayed silent before pushing himself to standing. "So I'll visit him. Now."
Without more words, he departed the palace.
Emperor Ezekiel sat silently, his fists clenched in his lap. His gaze was still on the doorway long after Aclaric had departed. "Let me know instantly," he instructed the royal guard, "if anything improves."
The royal guard bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty." Turned and slipped silently out of the room.
At the William estate, the atmosphere was heavy with panic. Lord William lay trembling in bed, his chest rising and falling rapidly, gasping for air as though the walls themselves were closing in on him.
