At that point, Aria had heard enough as she turned to look right at him with gritted teeth.
"Let me down!" she said, wanting to get out of his arms where she was, but it soon became clear as Zyren continued walking without so much as pausing that he had no intention of doing so.
By the time they got to the front of her room, Aria could barely keep her eyes focused as she leaned onto his shoulder, even as her breath came in gasps.
But Zyren did nothing as he stepped into her room.
Rymora, her maid, had been waiting inside, seated on a chair, when she saw Zyren, the king, step in with Aria in his arms.
She instantly dropped to her knees, still bowing her head, when she heard a sharp order that had her jerking back up.
"Get out!" Zyren ordered, and Rymora didn't hesitate to do as he asked, but not before a glance at Aria was enough to tell her that something wasn't right, considering how flushed her skin was as Aria failed to hide her face with her red hair, as much as she tried.
