The Fox sees the light go out in the King's eyes

Chu Yun's heart hammered wildly inside his chest.

What was the Queen Dowager going to say? She was even more unpredictable than her son. 

Chu Yun never knew where he stood with her, whether she was an ally or a foe. She never made her allegiances explicit. 

For the first time since he had walked into the throne room Chu Yun felt trepidation. But all he could do was wait. He pulled the tiger fur cloak tighter around his throat and looked up at the Queen in tense anticipation.

At his side, Xiao Zai took a step closer to him, wanting to present an united front.

The Queen Dowager was in no hurry to explain herself. Her lined face looked remorseful, but not sad. 

The only person who seemed more apprehensive than Chu Yun was the King, whose fingers tightened on the smooth end of the throne's armrests until his knuckles turned white.

"Mother-," he whispered, not looking around to face her.

The Queen Dowager ignored him.