Chapter 27. They Are Siding With Me

Elara POV

King Xandros paced the length of the chamber like a caged beast, his heavy boots striking the stone floor with sharp, echoing thuds. Each step seemed fueled by barely restrained rage, his broad shoulders tense, his fists clenching and unclenching as if he were moments away from tearing something—or someone—apart. The air around him felt thick, suffocating, charged with the intensity of his fury. His expression was dark, shadowed, rage coloring every line of his face as his thoughts clearly spiraled beyond control.

He growled low in his throat and came to a sudden halt, turning sharply to face us. The abruptness of his movement made me stiffen instinctively.

“I sent Samuel,” he thundered, his voice rumbling deep in his chest like distant thunder, “and he has the guts to send him back!” His eyes blazed as he swept his gaze across the