Blood dripped from Damien's split lip, staining the stone pathway beneath his feet. His body ached, jaw throbbing from Leon's punch, but his smirk never wavered. If anything, it deepened, stretching across his face like a predator baring its fangs.
'Two quests completed at the same time.'
He let out a slow, shaky exhale, wiping the blood off with the back of his hand. His tongue flicked against his teeth, tasting the metallic tang. The pain was real. The consequences were real. And yet, standing there, battered and bruised, Damien felt nothing but satisfaction.
'Celia Everwyn, humiliated in front of her little entourage. The perfect, untouchable queen, reduced to nothing but a liar scrambling for control.'
A sharp laugh clawed its way up his throat.
'Leon Ardent, the noble idiot, reduced to nothing more than an angry dog, lashing out without thinking. His so-called composure, shattered in front of everyone.'
