By the time Rían exited the portal, which delivered him into the center of Armendari palace’s courtyard, a dozen knights were spilling from the castle doors with King Joel centered within the storm. His expression was far from welcoming as his wide, exasperated mouth and gawking eyes caught the last of the shimmering energy of the magical doorway before it dissipated.
“Tamas!” The king shouted over his shoulder, beckoning his personal advisor, “Someone get me Tamas, now!” and in a tirade of steps, he was in Rían’s face. King Joel couldn’t quite meet Rían at eye-level, so he hackled his shoulders, and puffed his chest in his show of authority, “Are you out of your mind? Don’t bring magic to my front door!” First looking at Jenaveve, then flipping to the others, observing those that they he
