The doors of Lady Miranda's chamber burst open with a thunderous crack that startled even the candles from their calm. Rael stormed in, his boots pounding against the marble floor, fury radiating from him like a beast unchained. His silver armor glinted wickedly under the torchlight, and before Miranda could rise from her chaise, his hand was already around her throat.
She gasped, fingers clawing at his wrist.
"R–Rael—!"
His eyes, cold as winter steel, burned into hers. "Why," he growled through clenched teeth, "did you aim for Aurelia?"
Her pulse jumped under his grip. "I— I thought you didn't—" She coughed, struggling for air. "—want her."
Rael's head tilted, a twisted smile pulling at his lips. "Want her?" He let out a hollow laugh, dark and sharp, then slammed her against the wall hard enough to make the portraits tremble. "Miranda, oh Miranda…" he hissed, his voice dripping with venomous calm. "Do not test my patience. You don't know what you're playing with."
