Maybe walls and prisons are the same thing, depending on which side of them you’re standing.
It’s not much. But it’s a start.
I read until my eyes blur, and when I finally sleep, I don’t dream of blood or stone or golden eyes watching me burn.
I dream of fire I control.
SEVEN
RURIK
The war room smells like tension and old maps.
Drayke presides at the head of the table, Selene at his side—claimed, content, nauseatingly in love. Auren delivers his morning intelligence briefing with his usual warmth, which is to say none at all. I’m supposed to be listening. Instead, I’m wondering how long it’s been since I’ve done something genuinely stupid.
Too long. That’s the problem.
“—injured wyvern in the northern forest.” Auren taps the map with one precise finger. “Young. Poisoned, based on scout descriptions. Scales rotting from the inside out.”
“Put it down.” Drayke’s voice carries that heavy authority he wears so easily. “A suffering creature draws rogues. We can’t afford the attention.”
Auren nods. “I’ll dispatch?—“
“Wait.”
Everyone looks at me. I love that. Hate it, too, but mostly love it.
“Aisling.” I sprawl deeper in my chair, making myself look casual even as my mind races. “The veterinary surgeon. Maybe she’d like to do what she actually trained for.”
Silence. Drayke’s jaw tightens. Auren’s expression could freeze fire.
“Absolutely not.” Drayke again, predictable as sunrise. “She’s not ready for?—“
“For what? Treating an animal?” I gesture at the map. “That’s literally her job. Was her job. Before we dragged her into our mess.”
“She was tortured for three weeks. She’s traumatized, unstable?—“
“She’s also sitting in a room alphabetizing medical supplies because nobody will let her do anything else.” I lean forward, dropping the lazy act. “Brother, I’ve watched her. She needs purpose. Something to anchor to that isn’t terror and survival.”
What I don’t say: she’s been different since Auren’s examination three days ago. More withdrawn. Whatever she learned about Valdris tracking her through her blood—she’s been folding deeper into herself.
Selene clears her throat. “He’s not wrong.”
Drayke turns to his mate, and I see the war playing out behind his gaze—protective instinct versus cold logic. Selene holds his stare, something passing between them that doesn’t need words.
“Fine.” Drayke exhales hard. “But you go with her. Don’t let her out of your sight.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Auren’s skepticism hasn’t faded. “The creature is dangerous. Wounded animals lash out. If she?—“
“I’ll keep her safe.” The words come out sharper than I intend. “That’s what I do.”
No one argues. Probably because they know I’m serious. I’m always serious about protection—I just make sure nobody realizes it.
I push back from the table and head for the door.
“Rurik,” Selene calls out, “hold up.” She catches up with me. “Let’s go talk to the resident vet.”
