Aria's face crawled into a wicked smile, her lips curving like a snake ready to strike. The rage that had burned in her eyes just moments before transformed into something far more dangerous—cold, calculating satisfaction.
"I need you to return my favor for helping you with the queen-board ranking," she purred, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "I mean, you got to be a top five because of me."
Feya shifted uncomfortably on her feet, her grey eyes darting between the three princesses. Her fingers twisted together nervously as she opened her mouth to speak.
"I am not sure that..." she began, her voice barely above a whisper before falling silent under Aria's piercing stare.
"Shut up!" Aria's voice exploded through the room like a whip crack. "You can't speak when I am speaking!"
Feya's head snapped down in a quick nod, her braids swaying with the movement. Her shoulders hunched forward as if trying to make herself smaller, invisible.
