The Queen's voice carried the cold finality of a death sentence. "You chose to hide him instead. If the Lumina family falls from grace, if the Tribunal comes down on us with charges of high treason, it will be entirely because of your sentimentality."
"House Lumina is facing no treason charges, and we won't," Athea countered, her tone cutting and precise. "I have already factored the Tribunal's parameters into my long-term plans. Zaeryn is not a liability. He is a male like no other."
Athena let out a harsh, dismissive sound. "He is a male. Fear is his only natural state, regardless of how well Ysmeine raised him to hide it."
"He is the only male in recorded history to ever wield Vitae," Athea said flatly.
The room went completely still. The Queen rose from her throne, her towering stature throwing a long, dark shadow across the dais as she stared down at Athea.
Her face was no longer just disappointed; it was tight with sudden, brewing fury.
