Viktor rumbled, “The Midnight—”
“Finished what he began,” Storne said, marking a ridge-line with his knife-point. “Covenant allows me speech acrossdistance—mind to mind—between those bound to me. My daughter.” His gaze lifted, the barest glance at Viktor. “And now you.”
A jolt went through Viktor, the realization landing heavy.
Gabriel exhaled—half awe, half discomfort.
“When you say covenant, Storne… are we talking vows only, or—” his brow ticked “—sex counts?”
Storne’s gaze cut to him, flat.
“I knew it would be you to ask…” he growled. “Yes—it counts.”
“So Zeporah—”
“Yes,” Storne snapped. “Zeporah uses a bed as a bridle.” He set the knife down. “I’ve worn that chain. Never again.”
He tapped the notch above his brow.
“This bond—ours—isn’t that. It’s clean. Tactical. I use it for orders, warnings, names when a heartbeat matters. If I call, you’ll feel pressure here. Answer in thought, not speech. Slow breath. Clear intent.”
Amerei went still, glancing up at Viktor.
“Is this how The Midnight speaks to you?”
Viktor gave a sharp nod.
“Yes.”
Storne didn’t look up.
“And before you ask—I don’t eavesdrop. Can’t. Wouldn’t. I’m a commander, not a spy in my daughter’s marriage.”
Gabriel murmured under his breath, “One less father haunted, then…”
Amerei sent him a look that could kill.
“Evander,” Storne began, snatching back the room’s attention—the name alone made three aides find something urgent to shuffle. “In the yards this afternoon he loosed an arrow—not at a man. At atorch.” He tapped a knuckle on the map.“Set a stack of pitch alight. Half the eastern line thought it was a signal.”
Gabriel winced. “He was… testing range.”
“He was testing my patience,” Storne rasped, even, edged. “He sits reserve. No forward line. He draws only on command—mine or Seraphim’s. If he balks, send him to the well to count buckets till sunrise.”
Viktor’s jaw tightened.
“Understood.”
But Amerei spoke up.
“Send him with me.”
All eyes cut to her.
“To Amethyst,” she added, calm. “As captain of my guard.”
Storne stared from under his brow.
“You want him at court.”
