Soren leaned back in his plush seat, boots crossed at the ankle, swirling the amber liquid in his cup as Valerian finished recounting everything.... From the moment he missed vaelric's birthday, to him making him swear in the name of the storm god, to Caelmont, the trial, Vaelric invoking the Storm God's name, the abrupt marriage, the journey home, and finally the coronation.
When Valerian stopped talking, the room fell into a heavy, fire-lit silence.
Soren blinked, then stared at him, mouth slightly open, eyebrows climbing higher by the second.
Then, slowly, he exhaled, dragged a hand down his face.
"That," he muttered, voice hoarse with disbelief, "is a violent roller coaster. A very ugly roller coaster. I feel dizzy just listening."
Valerian snorted and reached for the bottle. "Try living it."
Soren watched him pour. "I'm trying to imagine Vaelric....little Vaelric....ordering you to marry a complete stranger. Swearing in the name of Vireon on top of it."
