Chapter 33: Danger
>>Aelin
The heavy, ornate doors to the Demon Queen’s throne room loomed before me like an impenetrable wall. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, knuckles white. I knew I didn’t belong here, and yet, I couldn’t stop myself. Ariston’s arrest had left a fire of desperation burning in my chest, and I wouldn’t let him suffer alone.
When the guards finally allowed me in, the atmosphere inside the throne room hit me like a wave. The air was thick with tension, and the Queen herself sat on her towering throne, radiating authority. Her crimson eyes locked onto me as I approached, and I could feel the weight of her gaze cutting into me.
I bowed my head slightly, my voice steady but pleading. "Your Majesty, I must speak on behalf of Ariston."
She stared at me for a moment with an unamused expression, then clicked her tongue as she uncrossed her leg and removed her elbow from the arm rest which ultimately made her remove her hand from her mouth too. "Speak"
"He is innocent—he’s being wrongly accused."
The Queen’s expression didn’t change, though her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "And why, Princess, should I take your word over the conclusions of my guards?" Her voice was smooth but sharp.
"Because the accusations don’t make sense," I pressed, stepping closer. "Everyone knows Ariston hasn’t harmed anyone. There are too many eyes on us, and too many who would eagerly speak against us if we had done anything wrong. This is a ploy—a distraction. Someone is trying to divert attention from the real culprit."
The Queen rested her chin on the back of her hand, studying me in silence for a moment that felt like an eternity. Then, with a wave of her hand, she dismissed her advisors, "Leave us,"
I watched as the demons began to move, all of them looking at me as they walked away
Once the door closed behind them, leaving only us and the guards stationed at the far corners of the room.