*~~Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Five~~*

{~~Avery Sterling~~}

The king was nothing like I had expected. His presence filled the room with a heavy, almost suffocating tension. He wasn’t even supposed to be here with us, yet here he stood, commanding attention with every breath he took. The air seemed to grow colder as he entered, and I could see the color drain from Ava’s face. She had always been defiant, always had a sharp retort on the tip of her tongue, but now, for the first time, I saw her tremble. Perhaps, at last, she was realizing the gravity of her crimes.

The king’s dark skin glowed under the dim lighting, a stark contrast to the rich, deep crimson of his robes, which draped around his tall, broad frame with an elegance that spoke of power and authority. His features were striking—high cheekbones, a strong jawline, and eyes so intense they seemed to pierce through you. His hair was neatly braided, and a thin golden circle rested atop his head, gleaming faintly. The intricate patterns embroidered in gold on his tuni