Asteria realized the other three continued to watch her, even when the child switched sides, which was also quite painful, his dagger-like teeth sinking in with no regard for her sensitive flesh. “What are you doing?” she barked at them. “Surely, there must be something else you could be spending your time on!”

“Your Majesty, much has happened while you slumbered. Melbourne… we’ve been attacked. But we’ve pushed back the assault, for now. And we have prisoners as well ...