Kapitel 190: Showcase, Part Eight

{Zephyra}

The evening light filtered through the curtains against the windows of Zephyra's study, painting the room in soft purples and blues that matched her amethyst eyes.

She sat at her ornate desk, engaged in what had to be the most intense staring contest of her life.

The lizard sat on a stack of spellbooks, its beady eyes fixed on hers with unsettling intelligence. For something that had been dead just hours ago, it seemed remarkably...

Sassy.

[I am the Court Sorceress of Syux,] she thought, refusing to break eye contact with the tiny creature. [Master of arcane arts, advisor to the king, youngest woman ever to hold this position. I will NOT be intimidated by a formerly dead reptile.]

The lizard's tongue flicked out.

"Don't you sass me," Zephyra muttered, tucking a strand of raven hair behind her ear. "I've forgotten more magic than you'll ever know."

The lizard tilted its head, somehow managing to look judgmental.