Danger

The flickering light of the grand hall cast long shadows as El-Kharis stepped into the Crown Prince's quarters. The room was rich with dark mahogany, dim candles lining the walls, their light reflecting off the polished surfaces. The silence was almost stifling, broken only by the faint crackle of fire from a nearby hearth.

Across the room sat the Crown Prince, his black hair falling smoothly over his shoulders, a striking contrast to his piercing green eyes that seemed to glow in the shadows. Those eyes watched El-Kharis intently as he entered, lingering with an edge of something like amusement, as if this were all some grand game only he understood.

"Please, sit," the prince drawled, gesturing to the chair across from him. His lips curled in a faint, knowing smile. "I've been looking forward to speaking with you."