Page 149 of Severed Heir

He moved quickly, practiced fingers sliding over the polished emblems until one caught his attention—a sun-shaped pin, golden and sharp-edged, its surface catching the torchlight in a flicker of flame.

“If this breaks, there’s no going back,” he warned. “Destroying a ruler’s port could be considered an act of war. I’ve heard they’re sometimes used for binding wills.”

I closed my fingers around it, breath held in my chest. “Release,” I whispered. “Or something.”

The pin split clean in my hand. A rush of heat tore through the room, and light burst from the open chest in waves.

It worked.

Gods, it actually worked.

And Hadrian’s voice echoed from the glow:“Today I became a Serpent. I promise the people of Wrathi I will make their lives better. I lay down my life for my realm…”

I groaned. “Of course it comes with a monologue,” I muttered. “I need something that mentions my mother and fast.”

Bridger grabbed another pin and held it out. “Winter?”

I reached for it—then froze. A figure leaned against Hadrian’s desk; arms crossed like he hadn’t just witnessed a near war crime.

“Destroying my father’s ports, are we?” Caius drawled.

I turned slowly. “Caius? It isn’t what it looks like.”

He stepped into the light, closer. “Up for that duel, Severyn? I’ve been looking for you.”

A chill crawled across my skin. “How long have you been standing there?”

“Long enough.” His gaze swept over me like I was already a corpse. “Might want to close the hatch, unless you want to start a war between our families.”

“Caius, don’t. Don’t say anything.”

He tilted his head, grin twisting. “Beat me in the duel, and I’ll stay quiet.”

I stiffened. “I thought you said you don’t barter in duels.”

His voice dropped low. “I changed my mind.”

I met his gaze, testing. “I opened your father’s port. What does that mean to you?”

His face didn’t twitch. “And if I win, you stay silent. Don’t ask him what that means.”

There was something in his voice—hesitation, maybe even fear. He knew something. Something he wasn’t ready to admit.

I leveled him with a glare. “Your father’s a monster, Caius. What he does to the barren civilians, how can you live with that?”

Caius turned for the door. “Win the duel, Severyn,” he said, calm and final. “Or stay the hell away from my family.”

The door clicked shut behind him.

I exhaled shakily. “I think I got my answer.”

Bridger muttered behind me, his voice low and cynical. “The mudded blood isn’t so mudded after all. Makes sense. You were always repelled by ice... kind of cruel they placed you in Winter, if you think about it.”

My stomach turned. I gripped the banister as I stepped into the corridor, trying to steady the surge rising in my chest. “You wanted me to suffer,” I said, not bothering to look back. “I know I had it easier than most, but that doesn’t excuse what you did.”

He scoffed. “Get over it. It made you stronger.”

I stopped in my tracks, fury snapping through me. “You left me to die on the trails,” I said sharply. “Half-naked, might I add.”

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