[Silthara Palace—Nightfall—Emperor's Chamber]
The palace corridors lay hushed beneath nightfall, lamps burning low like watchful eyes.
Levin walked between shadow and gold, Asha cradled comfortably in one arm, fingers idly stroking the soft scales along his spine. Lyresaph clung to him without shame, arms looped around Levin's neck, tail wrapped possessively as if he feared being left behind even for a breath.
Behind them, Zeramet followed—silent, tall, and increasingly irritated.
He exhaled sharply.
"This," Zeramet said at last, voice edged with annoyance, "is beginning to offend me."
Levin glanced up, amused. "Did something happen?"
Zeramet's gaze snapped—not to Levin, but to the two creatures glued to him. His eyes narrowed like a jealous storm.
"Yes," he replied flatly. "My consort is displaying excessive affection toward others when I deserve every fragment of that attention."
