"Keira—"
"Amisra is asleep. There's nothing I can do for her right now except be nearby if she wakes." Her hazel eyes meet mine, steadydespite the exhaustion. "And you shouldn't have to face this alone."
The gratitude that swells in my chest is almost painful. I reach for her hand, twine our fingers together. "Alright. Together then."
Maella leads us back downstairs. The study has been cleaned—someone removed Daryn's body, scrubbed away the evidence of his final moments, returned the scattered papers to neat stacks. But I can still see him sprawled across that floor. Can still hear the rattle of his last breaths.
The k'sheng stands near the desk, examining Daryn's collection of books with the detached interest of someone cataloging assets. He's younger than I expected—maybe two hundred years, sleek and polished in the way all merchants are. Dark gray skin, black hair pulled into an elaborate knot, amber eyes sharp with calculation.
He turns when we enter, offering a shallow bow. "Healer Morthen. I'm Kelrin Thuvas. I've been appointed by the Guild to oversee the settlement of Daryn Vaelor's estate. Please accept my condolences for your loss."
The words are smooth. Practiced. Utterly devoid of real feeling.
I incline my head. "What needs to be addressed?"
"The will, primarily. Master Vaelor was quite thorough in his arrangements." Kelrin retrieves a rolled parchment from his satchel, breaks the seal with practiced efficiency. "He made several amendments in recent weeks. Quite unusual, actually, but all properly witnessed and sealed."
Because Daryn knew. Knew this was coming and wanted everything in order.
The grief threatens to choke me again. I force it down, grip Keira's hand tighter. "Go on."
Kelrin unrolls the parchment, violet eyes scanning the formal script. "To summarize—the house and all associated property transfers to you, Healer Morthen. The financial accounts as well, including investments and outstanding contracts. All furnishings, personal effects, and—" He pauses, glances up. "—guardianship of his daughter, Amisra Vaelor."
I nod. Daryn and I discussed this weeks ago. He wanted to make sure Amisra would be cared for, that she'd stay in her home with people who loved her.
That she'd have a family, even if he couldn't be part of it.
"Additionally," Kelrin continues, "all household staff transfers to your authority. That includes the servants currently employed, as well as—" Another pause. His gaze flicks to Keira. "—the human nanny, Keira Wynn. Her contract and all associated ownership rights."
The world stops.
Just... stops.
Ownership rights.
The words echo in my skull, hollow and terrible. I feel Keira's hand go rigid in mine. Feel her whole body lock up beside me.
"What?" The word comes out strangled.
Kelrin's expression doesn't change. "Master Vaelor purchased the contract for Keira Wynn approximately eight months ago. As part of the household assets, that contract now transfers to you. The rest of the household staff are in your employ, but she is the only contract he held."
No.
No, this can't?—
Daryn told me toloveher. To build a home with her. And now I'm…her owner.
I turn to look at Keira. Her face has gone pale, all the warmth drained away. Those hazel eyes—the ones that had looked at mewith such softness, such tentative trust—now stare at me like I'm a stranger.
Like I'm the enemy.
"You didn't know." It's not a question. Just flat statement, hollow with betrayal.
"I didn't—" My throat closes. "Keira, I swear, I never asked about your contract. I thought?—"
"You thought what?" Her voice is too calm. Too controlled. "That I'd be set free? We both know what I am."
She pulls her hand from mine. The absence of her touch is like losing a limb.
