Page 26 of Severed Heir

He leaned in like he might kiss me, but his features twisted into something wicked. “It will be your fault when Kian dies. I never wanted you as my heir. Nobody did," he growled.

A hand shook me, hard. “Severyn. Wake up.”

I jolted upright, gasping, soaked in a shallow puddle. Ellison knelt beside me, pale and drawn. Dawn bled across the horizon, casting soft light on fresh, bloodied snow. The death dweller was now only a scorched husk of fur and bone.

“What happened?” I rasped, clutching my chest. “You killed it?”

“It scratched you,” Ellison said. “You’ve been screaming for the last hour.”

I looked down. The ice chains had melted beneath me. My clothes were drenched. My bones felt hollow. That horrible vision of Archer had my throat feeling raw.

“It wasn’t real?”

“No,” he said quietly. “But it got in deep. Nasty bastards. Trap you in your worst nightmare and feed off it. I’ve heard storiesthat some lose all the kindness in them from a single scratch.”

A shiver crawled up my spine. “I think I was trapped in one.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “When it lunged… my quell just shot out.” He winced. “Gods, that sounded way less dirty in my head.”

Despite everything, a small, exhausted smile tugged at my lips. “Thanks. Really.” Then, quieter, “You saved my life.”

He gave a crooked grin. “Just remind me next time to run the other way instead of playing hero, because I nearly pissed myself.”

“I told you to leave.”

“Yeah, well, my damn conscience disagreed. Loudly.”

An awkward beat passed between us. “Well, I’m going to get some sleep, so I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I left before Ellison could say another word and headed straight for the institute. I slipped through the rust-stained doors. The corridor stretched quiet, humming with magic and wards. I passed the Warden’s desk, and it was empty.

Had Archer told him about Delair? Did he mention it was my fault?

I pressed my back to the wall, my thoughts spun too fast. Maybe I was still trapped in a nightmare.

And somehow, he must’ve felt my panic, because a moment later Archer stepped from the corridor markedas theSerpents Hall.

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” he said softly. “You didn’t leave with the others after the battle.”

“I was busy,” I said. I wasn’t about to tell him I’d spent an hour chained in ice.

“I didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye.”

“I can’t do this,” I breathed. “I can’t stay here.”

“My little heir…” His voice cracked. “You’ve survived worse.”

I clung to his warmth. But it slipped through my fingers like sand. He couldn’t stay. And the longer he lingered, the weaker I felt.

“This place killed Klaus,” I whispered. “I can’t—”

His gaze held mine. “We won’t survive if you leave. Just… give me time. Let me explain what your heirship means.”

“We could pretend,” I said, reckless and aching. “I’ll pretend I don’t feel anything for you.”

He leaned in, forehead brushing mine. “I can’t pretend with you, Severyn,” he murmured. “Not when I name you, my heir.”

A beat passed. A heartbeat that felt like a goodbye.

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