Ilyra watched with unreadable calm.
Elara smiled.
And Serast moved immediately, refusing to let the moment settle.
“Then the Tenth Vow will be completed at midnight in the sealed Vow Chamber. Only prescribed witnesses will attend. Noadditional observers. No unsanctioned attendants. No private counsel.”
His gaze moved briefly toward Elara.
“High Hierophant Serast, Bloodwright Maelor, King Aeron, Queen Mother Ilyra, Trial Marshal Corvek, and necessary clerks will serve as witness. Prince Lucien and Lady Sabine will enter under sacred escort.”
He paused.
“The sanctification begins in six hours.”
The court heard triumph.
Sabine heard the countdown to the chamber that had killed Isolde.
Lucien’s eyes met hers across the room.
Midnight.
Sealed chamber.
Blood channels.
One breath.
Answer together.
Sabine returned to the guarded suite with Lysa while the court celebrated or mourned Lucien’s choice depending on which faction they served.
She stripped out of the white gown and stood in her shift, breathing.
Six hours.
Lysa brought water. “You should rest.”
“I cannot.”
“You should eat.”
“I cannot.”
Lysa’s face softened. “Then what do you need?”
Before Sabine could answer, the door opened.
Lucien entered and locked it behind him.
He looked at Sabine, and whatever he saw in her face made him cross the room and pull her against him without speaking.
She pressed her forehead to his chest and felt his heartbeat through cloth and skin.
“Six hours,” she said.
“Yes.”
