The possessiveness in his tone sparks a flare of irritation. Even now, he doesn't truly understand the weight of duty I've carried since childhood.
"I was never yours to keep, Asher," I tell him, my voice softening despite my frustration. "We both knew this was temporary. We're soldiers. Assets. We were pieces on a game board long before we knew the rules. The only choice we have is how we play the roles we've been given."
"There's another way," Asher says suddenly, closing the distance between us again, his Alpha presence overwhelming. "We could leave—right now. Travel beyond both courts' influence. The Free Territories would welcome skilled fighters like us. An Alpha and Omega team, both trained assassins. We could make our own life."
For a moment, I allow myself to imagine it—a life free from court politics and family obligations, just Asher and I forging our own path. No suppressants. No hiding. I could let my heats come naturally, let him knot me without the weight of duty between us. The temptation is stronger than I want to admit.
"My brother would die," I remind him softly. "Malakai made that very clear. And the Light Court would lose any leverage in the ongoing peace negotiations."
"Your brother made his own mistake," Asher says, then immediately looks regretful. "I'm sorry. I know you love him. But Sera, this isn't just a mission. This is your life. Your biology. Once you're claimed by your true mate—if that's what he is—there's no going back. You'll be bound to him forever."
"My life has always been in service to my court," I say, the words automatic, rehearsed.
"Has it? Or in service to your father's ambitions?" Asher challenges, his Alpha authority pressing against me. "Think about it. He kept your designation secret for years. He's been grooming you for something like this since you were a child."
The accusation stings because I suspect it's true. My father's revelation yesterday confirmed what I've wondered in my darkest moments—that my entire life has been carefully orchestrated. That even my training, my Omega designation, was just another piece in his political strategy.
"It doesn't matter," I say finally. "Whether it's for my father, my court, or my own sense of duty, I'm going through with this marriage. This claiming."
Asher stares at me for a long moment, his Alpha scent heavy with grief and frustrated possession, then nods once, reluctantly. "Then at least let me help."
He reaches into his tunic and withdraws a small object wrapped in dark cloth. When he unwraps it, I see a delicate silver chain with a pendant—a crescent moon crafted from a material that seems to absorb light rather than reflect it.
"Shadowstone," he explains, lifting the necklace. "Rare, even in the Shadow Court. It absorbs and stores magical energy—including shadow magic and Alpha pheromones. It won't protect you completely, but if Malakai ever directs his powers against you, or if his Alpha dominance becomes overwhelming, this might buy you enough time to defend yourself. It can also help mask your Omega scent for short periods."
I turn, allowing him to fasten the chain around my neck. The pendant rests just below the hollow of my throat, surprisingly warm against my skin. Near my scent glands.
"Where did you get this?" I ask, touching it gently.
"Best not to ask." His smile is grim. "Just know that several people would be very unhappy to discover it missing."
I tuck the pendant beneath my collar, out of sight, feeling it settle against my skin like a second heartbeat. The shadowstone is warm, almost pulsing with energy. "Thank you."
Asher's hands linger on my shoulders, then slide up to frame my face. "There's something else you should know about Malakai," he says, expression serious. "Something that wasn't in any of our briefings."
"What is it?"
"He has a rare form of shadow magic—one that allows him to sense emotions, particularly fear and deception. It's how he's survived so many assassination attempts. He can literally feel betrayal coming. And as an Alpha..." Asher's jaw tightens. "His Alpha senses are enhanced by his shadow magic. He'll be able to read your emotional state through scent even better than most Alphas. Maybe even through your suppressants and the mate bond."
A chill runs through me. This complicates things significantly. An Alpha who can sense emotions is dangerous enough. One with shadow magic enhancing those abilities is nearly impossible to deceive. "How did you learn this?"
"A shadow mage defected to our side recently. He was part of Malakai's inner circle before falling out of favor. The Order only learned of it after I got your message and began preparing to meet you here."
"And you decided I needed to know," I say, understanding the risk he's taken in telling me this. The risk of being here at all.
"I decided I wasn't going to let you walk into that snake pit without every advantage I could give you." His thumbs brush my cheekbones gently. "Be careful, Sera. Don't underestimate him. He's more dangerous than even the Order realizes. And if he truly is your mate..." He swallows hard. "The bond will complicate everything. Your emotions. Your instincts. Your heat cycles. Everything."
"I thought I knew his patterns—his arrogance, his cruelty, his intelligence—but this changes things. I'll need to adjust my approach," I say, running through possibilities in my mind. The scent-reading, the enhanced Alpha senses, the potential mate bond. "I'll be prepared."
Asher's expression softens. "Always so confident. It's what I've always loved about you—your absolute certainty."
"Not always," I admit, allowing myself this small vulnerability. "Right now, I'm terrified."
I look away, ashamed of my confession. Assassins aren't supposed to feel fear, let alone admit to it. Omegas definitely aren't supposed to admit to fear before their claiming.
Asher places a finger under my chin, gently tilting my face up until I have no choice but to meet his gaze. His eyes, the color of amber honey in sunlight, search mine. He doesn't speak, doesn't offer empty platitudes or false promises. Instead, he leans in slowly, giving me time to pull away if I choose.
I don't.
