The cat queens moved to the remaining thrones. Slowly. With the energy of people lowering themselves into chairs at gunpoint—present dignity demanding the motion be unhurried, however involuntary.
Helvora sat. Back straight. Expression announcing that she was choosing to be seated and nobody should interpret it otherwise.
Seris sat, her ice-blue eyes fixed somewhere above Tianlong's head like the ceiling held something more interesting.
Vyrena sat with enough controlled force that the throne creaked, her amber eyes finally landing on Kaira—still standing, chains swaying—and narrowing slightly.
Kaira herself had stopped at the edge of the crescent. Her blind eyes moved across the room's sounds and heat, reading it, orienting herself. She was still naked. Still chained. Her massive breasts rose and fell with each breath.
"Sit," Tianlong said.
She turned her face toward his voice. "I... with them?"
"With us," he corrected.
A beat of silence.
