<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ccff99">If looks could kill, ayla would have been a melted puddle from the look on Lucien's face. She had never seen this side of him before, even when he had previously faced down Illian on her behalf. The jarring sensation of being teleported was quickly replaced with the jarring feeling of being knocked off her feet. She landed on the couch unceremoniously, scrambling back up to a sitting position. She had expected anger, flinching when he spoke. She had expected a lecture. She hadn't prepared for being ordered to explain herself. She opened her mouth, though nothing came out through parched lips.  Closing her mouth, she swallowed, trying to force saliva production.</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#a6ff4d"> "I... I was angry.... I didn't think...."</span>