Luci dusted his hands off with a casual flick, as though he'd simply swatted a fly and not extinguished a would-be god-king. Around him, the garden still steamed from the lingering heat of the battle. Flower beds had turned to ash. Marble statues had melted like wax. The once-beautiful royal courtyard now looked more like a battlefield from ancient hell.
Christian let out a long breath, adjusting his loosened collar. "Well, at least the guests got a show..."
Brianna, standing beside him, frowned. "They also got a crater, half the west tower is gone, and I'm pretty sure the koi pond just turned into a hot spring."
Christian snorted. "So? Now it's fancy."
Luci walked toward them, stretching his arms slightly. The chains around his wrists rattled faintly, but they looked looser now—thinner. Even the iron ball tethered to him seemed a little lighter.
Brian crossed his arms, still watching Luci carefully. "That crack in your chain... it's not from the king's power, is it?"
