Nathan's hand hesitated on the door handle for the briefest moment. His posture stiffened, but he quickly composed himself, masking the flicker of tension that had flashed through his eyes. Without turning around, he forced calmness into his voice.
"I'm saying, Your Majesty, that the west will take care of itself."
"You didn't answer my question," King Aldric asked in a sharp voice.
'This bastard... did he notice?' Nathan's jaw clenched, but he still didn't turn around. The king was fishing for something, but Nathan wouldn't give him the satisfaction. Taking a slow breath, he forced the muscles in his shoulders to relax, though the flicker of irritation remained in his eyes.
