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And if that was what Kaelen truly believed, then there was nothing I could say that would make him trust a plan his father hadn’t already approved.

Something inside me settled.

“All right.”

Kaelen frowned. “What?”

“Do the Severing,” I said. His face emptied. “If that’s what you believe you have to do, then do it.”

“Wren—”

“But you’re going to do it properly.” He stared at me. “I’m not going to run. I’m not going to refuse the ritual, and I’m not going to give your father the chance to tell everyone I forfeited Ironmoor’s protection because I was too afraid to stand there.” His lips parted. I stepped closer. “So when Bond Night comes, I’ll be there.”

“Stop.”

“No.”

“Wren.”

“I’ll stand in front of you, and when they tell you to sever me, I’m going to look you directly in the eyes.”

His breathing had gone shallow.

“And while you’re doing it,” I continued, “I’m going to make sure you know exactly what you’re severing.”

“Don’t.”

I was close enough now to see the pulse hammering at the base of his throat.

“You think breaking the bond will convince your father that there’s nothing between us anymore? Fine. Let him think it. But you don’t get to believe it too.”

His voice dropped. “What are you saying?”

I had imagined saying it differently.

Not here.

Not in a cold corridor with dirt on his hands and fear written into every rigid line of his body.

But maybe there was never going to be a good place to say something like this.

Maybe there was only the moment when it became necessary.

“When I stand there, I’m going to think about the fact that I came to you with an open heart.”

His expression changed.

I kept going.

“That I chose you before I understood what choosing you would cost me. That I am yours now, whether your father approves of it or not.”

“Wren.”

“And if you reject me in front of everyone, I’ll still know what was true before you did it.”

His entire body had gone still.

I held his gaze. “Remember that, Kaelen Vance.” He looked almost frightened now. “Remember that even without having enough time to know you the way I wanted to, I still fell in love with you.”