Yara's playful demeanor faltered as Basilisk's tone shifted, the sharp edge of his words cutting through her defiance. She recognized the danger in his gaze, the thin line she had been walking now revealed as a precarious tightrope. Her heart pounded in her chest, a reminder of the very real stakes she faced.
She lowered her eyes, the spark of rebellion dimming as she took a step back. The cave seemed to close in around her, the weight of her situation pressing down. She needed to be careful, to bide her time and not reveal too much of her true feelings. The fire within her still burned, but it was now a controlled flame, hidden beneath a veneer of compliance.
"You're right, Warlord," she said quietly, her voice devoid of its earlier sarcasm. "I won't forget why I'm here. Thank you for giving me a chance." She forced herself to meet his gaze, a mask of submission firmly in place.
