Chapter 187: Weight of obedience
Allen didn’t need to say another word. Soreya had already fallen silent, eyes half-lidded and glassy, her once-defiant lips now slack and dripping as she knelt at his feet. The glow from the torches framed her in warm orange, softening the stark red around her mouth, the trails of spit clinging to her chin, the wet sheen between her thighs that betrayed her.
He didn’t look at her with lust. He didn’t even look at her with anger. Just... assessment.
This was no longer about punishment. It wasn’t even about revenge.
It was order.
He stepped back, adjusting his tunic as Soreya instinctively lowered her head, almost pressing her forehead to the stone floor. No command had been given—but the memory of his grip still lingered on her scalp, and she moved as if it were still there.
Behind them, the courtyard was still. Rinni sat cross-legged atop the stone bench now, lazily twirling a dagger between her fingers while Fina leaned against a column with arms folded, her smile unreadable.
"Take her to the lower chamber," Allen said, his voice even. "She’s not done being useful."
Fina gave a nod, already stepping forward. Rinni hopped off the bench, stretching like a cat. Between them, they lifted Soreya—not gently, but not cruelly either. Like a tool being moved after use.
Allen turned and began walking, the sound of his boots echoing across the quiet marble, shadows growing longer as they moved through the palace’s inner corridors.
It wasn’t late, but the nobles left behind in the tribunal chamber had remained still, unmoving, unsure if the day’s judgment had truly ended or if the next blow might fall at any moment. That was the beauty of leaving them stewing. Uncertainty was better than torture—it did most of the same work without the mess.
Allen passed a window overlooking the inner garden, pausing briefly. Fireflies hovered lazily over the lily-strewn pond. He saw himself reflected faintly in the glass—tired eyes, straight shoulders, bloodless knuckles.
He didn’t feel tired. Not yet.