“Your power must be quite strong, indeed.” The remark came from the female who had finally come to stand next to the king along with the other male. At first, Vera thought she was trying to compliment her in a way, but the look on her face said otherwise.

Although around the same height as Vera, she was her opposite in every way. Her blond hair was shaved bare on both sides of her head, accentuating her pointed ears and leaving the middle portion plaited down her back. Her hazel eyes were hard and unforgiving as she looked down her nose at Vera, and her cheekbones and jaw were nearly as sharp as Jaren’s.

She wore the same light leather armor as the guards outside, every defined, thick muscle of her arms on full display. Vera would have swooned at her feet and begged her to spar with her had it not been for the death glare she was sending her way.

“Well?”

Vera shuffled uncomfortably under the pression of the five gazes currently on her. All except Jaren, whose eyes were trained with intense focus on Lady Death Glare. “She’s not some weapon for you to try out,” he snapped, stepping around Vera to stand at her side.

Casually placing a hand on the pommel of her weapon, she smirked. “You have much nerve to talk back to me, Jaren Barilias.” Her eyes darted between him and Vera, noting the protective stance he held beside her. A blond brow arched high on her forehead.

“I wasn’t aware you suddenly had authority to assign protection without my approval, Dedryn. Especially someone I have not personally vetted.”

Vera started, eyes widening despite herself. Holy Aleron. This female was in a position of authority over their guards? She knew Bhasura respected its females in a way Aleron never had, but this was even more than she’d expected.

Tension thickened the air from her question, rolling off both Jaren’s fathers. “I have not assigned anyone, Taeral. Though I know for a fact you are well aware his skill surpasses most of the individuals under your command.” Dedryn aimed his attention at the king, ignoring the angry flare of Lady Death Glare’s eyes.

“Your Majesty, I know we have spoken of Jaren to you before, but I do not believe you have seen him since he was not much more than a child.” He stepped to the side, holding an arm out toward Jaren.

King Vesstan froze. “Your son, you say.”

He tipped his head back, sucking on his teeth. “How fortunate our…children…seem to have formed such trust.”

Jaren bristled, and by the twitch of King Vesstan’s lips, he didn’t fail to notice.

“Hm. There is apparently much more to you than meets the eye, Veralie Arenaris.” He reached out a hand, and she hesitantly set hers into his, trying not to tense as he covered it with his other and smiled down at her.

“You must be hungry and eager to tour your new home. Jaeros knows the palace quite well given his occupation and would be more than happy to show you around, I’m sure.”