Aire did not move.
She stood where she was, arms folded tightly across her chest, every muscle in her body locked with suspicion.
King Asterion walked toward the far end of the chamber without looking back.
He did not ask again.
He simply trusted that if there was even the smallest part of her that still wanted answers, she would follow.
For several long seconds, she remained rooted to the floor.
Then, with an irritated sigh that sounded more like surrender than agreement, she pushed herself away to the doorway.
"I'm only coming because you mentioned my father," she muttered. "Not because I believe you."
"Thank you." His answer was quiet, almost relieved.
They walked through corridors unlike any Aire had seen since arriving. The palace gradually became quieter.
The laughter drifting through the gardens faded behind thick walls of glowing stone. Eventually they reached an enormous pair of doors carved from pale silver wood.
The carvings were strange.
