The King's SummonsSophia's POV

The summons came at noon.

Not a request. Not an invitation. A summons — a single strip of black parchment delivered by one of Leonidas's personal guards, the words written in a sharp, impatient hand that left no room for interpretation.

My study. Now.

I read it twice, standing in the middle of my chambers in my dressing gown, my hair still loose from the morning. Elara hovered at my shoulder, her eyes wide, her hands clutching the silver brush she had been using ...