Several seconds stretch into eternity.
“Honor demands truth,” he says finally, voice heavy with resignation but clear in conviction. “Dissolution approved.”
The words hang in the air for a moment—five voices united in judgment, five votes sealing Faelan’s conspiracy into legal defeat.
Prince Korren steps forward, and when he speaks, his voice carries the formal cadence of ancient dragon ritual.
“Let the record show that the Drakorian delegation has voted unanimously to invoke the dissolution clause. Let the record show that this contract, secured through assassination and manipulation, is hereby rendered void under the authority granted to us by the Concordat of Fang and Flame.”
He raises his hand, and dragon fire erupts from his palm—not destructive, but ceremonial. The flames spiral upward, twisting into complex patterns that hurt to look at directly. Ancientmagic, older than the fae court that hosts us, older perhaps than the palace itself.
The contract materializes within the flames. I see my name on it—Lyanna Silverthorne—written in elegant script beside Prince Korren’s. The terms of my imprisonment, my forced marriage, my stolen future, all rendered in ink and magic.
And then it burns.
The parchment doesn’t just catch fire. It unravels, threads of corrupt magic separating from the legitimate contract beneath. I watch Faelan’s influence peel away like dead skin, blackened strands of manipulation dissolving into ash while the underlying document—the honest agreement that should have existed—simply fades into light.
When it’s done, there’s nothing left. Not even ash.
“The dragon contract is void,” Prince Korren announces. “Lady Lyanna Silverthorne is released from all obligations to the Drakorian court.”
My knees buckle completely. Callum catches me, pulling me tight against his chest as relief crashes through me in waves I can’t control.
“One down,” he murmurs, just for me. “One to go.”
Because dragon dissolution is only half the battle. The fae courts must still rule.
Across the chamber, my father watches with tears streaming down his face—not manipulated grief, but genuine emotion breaking through decades of diplomatic control. Our eyes meet. I see his shame, his hope; his desperate need for forgiveness.
Later. We’ll deal with that later.
Right now, I have to convince my own people.
Chapter 38
Callum
The dragon contract dissolves into ash. Lyanna sags against me. Her body trembles with exhaustion, magical reserves depleted from purifying Faelan’s attack. I tighten my grip, keeping her upright while my eyes scan the throne room for remaining threats.
One court down. But the fae tribunal still holds power here.
Around us, the strike team maintains defensive positions. Ben signals all clear through the comm, his movements crisp despite the blood still dripping from his arm. He hasn’t let anyone treat it. Derek documents the evidence display with quiet efficiency, recording everything for future reference. Rhonan and Evren flank the dragon delegation, their presence a reminder that multiple realms witnessed what just happened.
Prince Korren turns toward the fae tribunal members with a gaze that carries centuries of dragon authority. The challenge in his eyes is unmistakable.
“Fae courts—your turn.”
The words hang in the air. Dragon law has spoken. Now the fae must answer.
Lyanna straightens beside me, drawing on reserves I didn’t know she had left. The heavy outer robe pooled at her feet back when I released the clasp, but she still wears the underlayers—still carries the visible weight of what this court tried to force on her.
I feel the shift in her body—the moment she stops being the woman I’m holding and becomes Lady Silverthorne, daughter of a noble house, trained for exactly this kind of political warfare.
“I can do this,” she murmurs.
Every protective instinct I possess screams to handle this myself. To shield her, carry her out of here, let someone else fight this battle. But this is her arena. Her people. Her right.
I release her waist but keep her hand in mine, our fingers intertwined as she steps forward to face the tribunal.
