“She never listens to anyone but Ren. But he’s dead, so . . .”

Surprised that Ren’s sister was taking his death so casually, Aidan didn’t really put up a fight when Ju shoved him back into the room and over to her mother.

The Empress had been placed back in a chair, but she was still sobbing, wiping her eyes with a cloth clutched in her hand.

The others watched Aidan expectantly. As if they hoped for some miracle from him!

His gaze flicked to each of them, wondering what he should do next. He had no fucking idea. But he also had nothing to lose at this point. So he borrowed knowledge he’d learned from Keita on the art of pissing someone off.

Aidan crouched beside the chair and took the Empress’s hand, being careful not to let the tips of those nail guards nick his human flesh. He’d heard rumors she had poison on them and, true or false, he didn’t want to take any risks.

“My lady, I know you are devastated by the loss of your son—”

“My perfect, amazing son.”

Clearing his throat, “Yes, your perfect, amazing son. And I have to say, I find it distasteful that even though your perfect, amazing son lost his precious life in a Zealot fort outside of Aberthol in the Southlands, your brother had the nerve, the audacity to lie to you and say that he held your perfect, amazing son captive all this time. You built your hopes on that. That he would return Ren of the Chosen to you . . . when he knew he never would. That’s a lie I know I could never forgive.”

Still gripping the cloth, the Empress slowly turned her head, her gaze locked on Aidan’s face.

And then she just stared at him. For what felt like hours. She stared and didn’t speak.

Aidan didn’t know if he was simply afraid to break eye contact with her or if he was unable to. Was she holding him in some sort of thrall?

He wondered if he would die right now, her gaze was so hard. So angry.

“Xing,” she finally bit out.

“My lady—”

The Empress threw back her head and screamed to the ceiling, “XINGGGGGGG!”

Aidan fell back, her offspring scattered, and Uther and Caswyn grabbed Aidan’s arms and yanked him across the room.

The Empress stood, her entire body shaking with rage, her fists balled up, her beautiful face terrifying as her lips twisted and her jaw clenched.