Chapter 97: The Queen’s Spell
Humans were beginning to gather in the middle of the forest. They must have finished preparing for the hunt.
The beasts could see the fear in their eyes as the others passed among them. But Rhaegar paid them no attention, nor did the other beasts. Humans had always been apprehensive creatures. There was nothing unusual about that.
Naveen greeted the humans cordially with a polite bow, but Rhaegar could tell she wasn’t at ease. Even with half her face concealed by a mask, her pallor was evident, and tiny, almost imperceptible beads of sweat gathered along her hairline.
"Is something wrong? Do you sense anything?" Rhaegar asked, unable to hide his concern.
The witch didn’t reply immediately. Her gaze remained fixed on the distant camps, her bright eyes reflecting the sharp rays of sunlight piercing through the trees.
At last, she spoke, her voice low but steady. "Now I understand why the air here feels so stifling. It’s about to begin."
On the far side of the forest, the crown prince halted his horse behind a dense thicket of lush bushes. With a sharp motion, he signaled his attendants to stay silent and still.
His piercing green eyes locked on something in the distance, and his attendants assumed he was stalking prey. In reality, Kai’s focus was fixed entirely on King Rhaegar.
Just the sight of him, sitting tall atop his massive black stallion, made Kai quiver with disgust laced with subtle mockery. Two animals riding one another—it was a pathetic and laughable display.