“Why are you not at the king’s heel, loyal pup?” I muttered, teeth flashing beneath my hood.
He turned away from me; the point of his sword aimed at the dirt.What you’re about to see, Verena…I need you to promise you will not react.A beat, then the dry lash of his humor.And seriously, strengthen your shields.
Fates curse me. I was doing my damned best.
Between memories scraping at my skull and the Viper whispering venom, how in the stars was I supposed to remember shields on top of that?
Thank the gods he wasn’t around when tall, dark, and broody was gawking at me.
Why do I hate the way you said that?I shot back, sharp, because that was easier than admitting to the heat crawling up my neck.
He prowled along the edge of the crowd, further from me, the fire of his thoughts tight and controlled.I have a crew in place. When I give the signal, they’ll cut the bindings and free the condemned. We will not kill Obrann today, Verena. Get that out of your head. You’re not fighting. You’re not interfering. You’re taking Wells, taking anyone who needs assistance, and leaving.
Elva’s face flickered into my memory, a sunbeam cutting through the brewing unrest. Golden hair, tea cradled in her hands, the smile that made his chest unclench.
She’s back at the palace. And safe,he said.She wasn’t feeling well. I needyousafe too.
The horns split the air again and guards flooded the podium, five to each side, boots pounding in unison until the crowd hushed all together.
Verena.Callum’s voice, firm in my skull.
I rolled my eyes, a reluctant growl rising in my throat.
He moved toward the stage, stepping into position just below Obrann’s throne. He was ready.
And me? Once again left in the dark.
I hated not knowing. Not planning. Control was survival. Being left out stripped me raw.
What is the plan?I pressed, teeth bared in thought.
His mind burned behind a halo of flame.Just trust me.
Anger stirred, the cold slick of scales rising, lifting from its curl. I was not one of Elva’s chess pieces, waiting dormant to be moved by the command of others.
How dare he try to cage us.
No. That wasn’t my voice or my thought. I pushed it down, silencing it, smothering the impulse to burn the whole plan down.
I didn’t need to know. Ineededto trust Callum. Ididtrust him.
He’d always done what was best, for all of us. And he was right. I was the only one who could get everyone out safely. I didn’t always have to be in the middle of the chaos, even if that’s where I felt like I belonged.
A shiver crawled over my spine as the breeze swept past, carrying the gnawing sense of being watched. I turned—
And found him, the man cloaked in black. He stood at the end of the platform, hands folded behind his broad back. The way he held his chin high was like he’d been written from defiance itself.
He caught my stare, winked, then looked away.
Oh, good. The fluttering in my belly was back.
Callum stepped forward, crossing onto the platform while every breath in the square held. “Fae and mortals of Csolenia,” his voice rang out, commanding, though I heard the distaste sharpen each next word. “Bow now to your grace, King Obrann Bitrayen of Luamis, second king to the Luamis throne and protector and savior of Selvarra.”
Protector. Savior. The words were a mockery.
He appeared, Obrann, stepping into the light with his vice in tow. The crowd broke like glass, falling to one knee. Too easily, too damn obediently.
I didn’t.One second, that’s all it would take. One flick of my blade, one spoken word to my stoned serpent, a single thought to the curse coiled inside my veins and Obrann’s reign would end here.
