MAXIMUS’ POV

Soraya knelt before me, her frail body trembling, her forehead pressed against the floor.

“Your Majesty,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “I know I should have spoken sooner, but my life depended on my silence. I had no choice. But now—now that you won’t listen to me about Emilia being dangerous… I have no choice but to tell you the truth.”

I stared at her, my jaw tight. I hated when people wasted my time. “Get straight to the point, Soraya. Don’t test my patience.”

Her head lifted slightly, but her eyes never met mine. They stayed lowered, as if afraid the truth itself would strike her dead....