Chapter 51 A Kingdom Between Teeth and Tongues

The dawn came gray over Akun.

Not golden.

Not red.

Just... gray. As though the sun itself feared shining over a land where its light no longer ruled.

In the inner chambers of the palace, Queen Akerele sat alone in the sacred bathing court. The waters-once clear-had dulled over the past days. She had dismissed the servants. Not out of pride, but