Elithira turned her head as far as the blade in her back allowed.
Pain made the motion small. Pride made her finish it anyway.
"What do you hope to gain from all of this?"
King Griswald's eyes went flat. The old warmth he used for councils, feasts, and speeches had left him. What remained looked tired and convinced.
"Peace," he said. "For everyone in my world. I have seen the true powers moving beyond this kingdom, beyond this planet, and beyond every little border men like us keep drawing on maps. I know how quickly everything I have worked for can be snapped away."
He twisted the blade.
Elithira's fingers dug into the stone beneath her. The sound that left her mouth was small, but it still left. She hated him for earning that much.
"Even this is not enough to kill you," Griswald continued. "Erebos made sure I understood that. Your bloodline is inconveniently durable. But it will do enough for his next phase."
