I hit him square in the chest, my glare as sharp as my words. "What are you doing here, Veryon?"
He didn't flinch, maintaining that infuriating smirk. "I've told you already," he said, his voice calm yet laced with malice. "I came to take back what is mine."
"And what exactly is that?" I demanded, though the answer was clear from the way his gaze drifted to the palace throne.
"That," he said, tilting his chin toward the throne bathed in golden light, "and her."
I stiffened. "Her?"
"Yes, Athena," he said, his smirk widening, daring me to lash out. "You stole everything from me. My throne, my pride, and now I'm here to reclaim it all."
My fists clenched at his audacity. "Why?" I snapped. "Why now? You left! You willingly abandoned the throne. You have no right to come back and demand it like some entitled brat."
