The court rose as one.

  The motion travelled outward from the highest tiers, sweeping down through the chamber until even those closest to us were on their feet.

  I followed a heartbeat late, hoping nobody important noticed. My head was still spinning slightly from our entrance.

  A new beam of light spread out, as a passage opened along the upper level.

  Figures entered first, advisors by the look of them, composed, watchful, arranged in quiet symmetry. Very clearly a level of authority above the members of the lower tiers. They reached the seats, before standing as they waited.

  And then he came.

  It was as if there was a collective intake of air. Then the room held its breath.

  The King did not hurry.

  He did not need to.

  Authority moved with him, settling across the court like a familiar weight. Robes fell around him in lines of deep colour, threaded with light that shifted as he walked.

  Age rested on him, but it had not diminished him.

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  It had refined him.

  The conversations, the debate from before had vanished. Whatever divisions had filled the chamber moments ago dissolved into absolute silence. Now there was nothing but pure concentration. Every eye in the room was following the King as he made his way.

  Some bowed their heads as the King passed. Some averted their eyes.

  Even I could feel it, and I had never met the guy before. I found myself wondering what a man had to do to earn respect like that.

  He took his seat.

  Only then did the chamber breathe again.

  “Be seated,” he said.

  His voice was not loud.

  It did not need to be.

  Wood whispered as the court obeyed.

  I sat because everyone else did.

  It seemed the safest bet, and I did not want to be the last person standing here.

  The King’s gaze moved slowly across the gathered assembly, acknowledging, measuring, remembering.

  Then it found me.

  And paused.

  It was not long.

  Perhaps only a second.

  But something in his expression altered, so quickly I might have imagined it.

  A tightening of muscles.

  A fracture in the perfect composure.

  Gone almost before it existed.

  But even so I had felt it. A flicker of emotion from the eyes. My stomach tightened as I imagined whether it promised safety or ruin.

  If anyone else noticed, they gave no sign.

  “Laurice,” the King said, his attention returning to the chamber, “you may present our guest.”