Sabine read it once.
Then again, colder.
A forged confession of flight.
A confession of manipulation.
A confession of bond corruption.
Enough to stain Lucien. Enough to ruin her. Enough to let the crown claim Corvyr’s protection had been forfeited by dishonor instead of failure.
“I did not write this,” she said.
Heskar took the page back. “It was found in your chamber among private correspondence.”
“It was planted.”
“That is one possibility.”
“It is the only possibility.”
Corvek’s gaze moved to the broken cup, the wet stain on the floor, then to the door through which Brinna had been carried.
“A bride has collapsed after drinking a cordial prepared for you. A page has been found suggesting intent to abandon the Trials with the prince’s assistance. The final sequence is due at dawn.” His voice was level. “Under the Integrity Articles, I recommend immediate suspension of Lady Sabine Corvyr’s participation pending review.”
There it was.
Not death.
Removal.
The room seemed to narrow.
If Sabine was suspended before final selection, the Corvyr administration order could activate. Cassian would lose what remained of the estate. Her mother would be displaced politely. House Corvyr would be left standing in name while the crown picked its bones clean under protective custody.
Sabine looked at Corvek.
“You are recommending suspension before examining the cordial, the handwriting, the seal, or the person who placed this document in my room.”
“I am recommending suspension because ritual integrity requires containment while those matters are examined.”
“Containment,” Sabine said.
A beautiful word for a locked door.
A soft word for theft.
Bloodwright Maelor appeared in the open doorway.
Of course.
He stepped into the chamber with his hands folded before him, expression composed, robes immaculate.
“Trial Marshal,” he said. “Warden.”
“Bloodwright Maelor,” Corvek said.
Maelor’s gaze moved to Sabine, then to her marked sleeve. “The bond has shown irregular progression since the Blackwater. Heightened physical response. Disordered attachment. Repeated defiance of prescribed separation. It is possible this morning’s disruption reflects corruption within the bond rather than ordinary sabotage.”
