"You betrayed me!" Leon sat high on his throne, and he watched my footsteps as they came up to him. Those violet eyes no longer shone with a burning light, but with a fearful coldness. Only a few candles were burning in the great hall, and in the feeble light they reflected his sullen face.

He was dressed in a tunic of dark purple velvet, and his back was against the throne, his hands naturally attached to the gold armrests on either side. At this time Leon was not crowned, but he was already the new king. There was no joy in his face, and the chill majesty that emanated...