[Silthara Palace — Malika's Chamber — Continuation]
Outside Malika's private chamber, silence stretched heavily across the corridor; no attendants spoke and no servants dared breathe loudly.
Only the distant sound of palace fountains echoed beneath the midnight lanterns. Meanwhile, Varesh, Raevahn, and Lady Arinaya remained standing outside the chamber doors. Guarding, waiting, and protecting the only thing their Malik had left behind.
Then suddenly footsteps echoed through the corridor, slow, elegant, and terrifyingly calm. Immediately every nearby attendant lowered themselves nervously.
And moments later Slyvarakh appeared beneath the golden lantern lights. Silver imperial robes flowed behind him like liquid moonlight; several red knights followed behind, and beside them walked some priests carrying ceremonial scrolls.
