Zion let out a brief mocking laugh.
"You have no idea."
"It's for his own good." Castellian added in a falsely innocent tone, equally amused.
They were openly mocking Kreiz and he clenched his fists tightly.
"So you are lovers, you majesty Kadium and Lord Beom," said Kleb, taking part in the conversation for the first time, having studied the mysterious and disturbing King Kadium all this time.
Iveress flinched at this, not sure what hurt her, but she was.
"Really!"
"Would you be prejudiced for this kind of...thing?" advanced Ducas, ostensibly frowning.
"For some people only. And yours is one of them."
"And why?" asked Zion directly.
For the first time since he had entered Vaegos, since he had entered Darian's palace, since his gaze had been on his hosts, and on one of them in particular, Zion faced what must have tormented him most. Iveress. His Ivy. No...then he thought, she wasn't anymore. Never again.
