Scene: Inside the Imperial Chamber – Chris' POV
The silence between Amara and I was still thick in the air, her gaze sharp like shattered glass. She sat with her arms crossed, lips pressed into a firm line, while I stood by the edge of the bed, trying not to ignite her fury any further.
A firm knock echoed through the chamber.
Without waiting for a response, the door opened cautiously—only one person dared break protocol like that and still live.
One of the B.A.M. guards stepped in, visor lifted. His eyes didn't even look at Amara. They locked straight on me.
"Supreme Ruler, forgive the intrusion," he said, voice tight. "Commander Darius attempted access. When denied, he issued a verbal statement."
Amara scoffed, rolling her eyes.
I raised a brow. "Let's hear it."
The guard hesitated. "He said, and I quote: 'Tell Chris if he wants loyalty, locking me out is the wrong move. Because the next time someone points a gun at him—it won't be one of my men. But I might not stop it either.'"
Silence.
Even Amara turned slowly to face me now, her fury replaced with a flash of surprise… then calculation.
My jaw tensed.
That was bold. Too bold—even for Darius.
"Did he leave the castle?" I asked coldly.
"No, Supreme Ruler. He's waiting. Not far from the door. Watching."
I nodded slowly. "Dismissed."
The guard turned and left, sealing the door behind him once more.
Amara rose to her feet.
"He just threatened you," she said carefully. "Are you going to let that go?"
I stared at the closed door, my mind turning like a loaded chamber.
"No," I said quietly. "But I won't act out of anger. Not yet."
She watched me closely. "So what now?"
I looked at her.
"Now," I said, "we test how far loyalty bends… before it snaps."