134

Queen Yeri.

King Ozar storms into my chambers with a force that makes my hands freeze mid-stitch. My maidservants immediately scatter, eyes wide with fear, sensing the fury that has just entered. Only Kiesta remains, standing still like a sentinel beside me.

I glance at her briefly.

“Leave us,” I say, despite the feel of my heart thudding against my ribcage.

Kiesta hesitates for a moment, flickering between Ozar and me, but then nods and steps out, closing the door behind her.

A scoff escapes his lips before he even speaks, his anger radiating off him like heat from a forge. I stop what I’m doing, setting the fabric aside, and slowly rise to my feet, but before I can steady myself, he strides forward and shoves me back down onto the couch. I gasp, my breath caught in my throat as I look up at him.

Ozar towers over me like the man that he is and his shadow casts me in darkness.

“Explain yourself…” he growls, thick with annoyance.

I press my lips together, drawing a slow breath to calm