After Richard was dragged away, Scarlette dismissed the guards with a sharp nod.
"I need answers. Now," she demanded, her voice echoing in the now-empty throne room.
"Was he part of the extremists Devran warned us about? What is this prophecy they believed in?"
Juniper, still in her full fox form, nine tails large and erect, stood growling at the door like a silent guardian.
"At ease, Juniper," I said calmly.
With a soft huff, she obeyed—curling into a fluffy ball and shrinking in size. In seconds, she lay on her back like a puppy, all nine tails swishing lazily beside the baskets of groceries we had long forgotten.
Scarlette crossed her arms and turned to me.
"Well?" she prompted. "Would you like to explain the prophecy first… or the Midnight Orchid? Why did you say he will be more submissive later? What happens?"
"Fine," I replied immediately.
"The Orchid," I said. "I'll start there."
