He placed both hands on her small shoulders, looking her dead in the eye.
"Listen to me, Boss," Roan whispered, his voice intense, and devoid of his usual sarcasm. "If anyone, and I mean absolutely anyone, looks at you the wrong way, insults your dress, or breathes in your direction without prior authorization... you summon a shadow-duck and you bite their ankles. Do not hold back. I will handle the paperwork, bribe the disciplinary committee if needed. Just promise me you won't let these shiny idiots make you sad."
Seraphina managed a tiny, but genuine giggle. "I promise, Mr. Balcony Ghost. I'm the Sovereign. I squish things."
"Yes, you do," Roan murmured fiercely, pulling her into a quick, tight hug. "You squish them."
He stood up, reluctantly letting go of her shoulders.
He shot one final, terrifying glare at the trembling administrative official. "If she is not seated in the front row, I will turn your clipboard into a swarm of bees and shove them up your..."
