She didn't seem to move, to do anything, and yet the entire attitude of the gathering changed. The collective queens stepped back, bowing their heads, turning to engage in conversation as though I wasn't among them any longer. Only Sarameia remained, her anger a physical thing next to me.

"Great Empress," she said, fury barely contained. "Surely we shall not tolerate-"

And stopped talking. Her eyes bulged briefly, whole body rigid ...