Page 46 of Severed Heir

The sunlight barter between my father and Victor had only bought time. And time had run out.

“Clearly his father is conniving,”I said.“He wanted me to marry his heir.”

Naraic rumbled low in his throat.“Damien knew who you were. Archer kept that from you. That is all I will say.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better? Knowing Archer knew and lied more?”

“It was a puzzle fork. If Damien took the heirship, you were bound to marry him. Archer broke a serious law keeping that lindworm hidden—for you.”

“We will discuss this later.”I had too much on my mind and worrying about a non-existent marriage wasn’t my top priority.

I scanned the empty streets of my village and dread knotted in my chest within an instant. “Cully, where is everyone? Why are there no civilians?”

He rubbed his arms, eyes tracking the barren storefronts. “I don’t think much grew this year, Sev. No footprints, no weeds. I’d say people left weeks ago. Maybe months.”

Fraser pointed skyward, where the clouds shimmered faintly with northern light. “There’s no shield.”

My knees nearly buckled. “What does that mean?”

He drew his sword with a hiss of steel. “It means we’re not protected here.”

A wild flock of griffins cawed in the distance, their silver and golden wings stretching wide across the ridge. I couldn’t handle the weight of failure pressing down on my spine. I hadn’t become my father’s heir. I had failed my realm.

Myla stepped beside me, her hand landing softly on my shoulder. “It’s okay, Sev,” she murmured. “The land can be saved. We’ll figure it out.”

I leaned into her touch. “How do I save a land I’m melting just by being here?”

Her eyes softened. “A Serpent must be crowned. A Winter one. I know you hate Bridger for what he did to you, but... he might be North Colindale’s best chance.”

“This is Bridger’s fault. If he hadn’t sent you away, if you had stayed, you might’ve been named heir. Maybe this wouldn’t have happened.”

She reeled back. “You’re blaming him for a country starving?”

“He ruined your chances.”

“I didn’t want to leave my mother. I thought if I survived Malvoria, I could come home on my own terms.”

Cully’s head snapped up. “Who is Bridger? What did he do to you?”

My voice sharpened. “What he did to me? He sent you away, Myla. He got you expelled from the Academy.”

“I asked him to,” she said quietly, lifting her chin. “I knew I wouldn’t be accepted here. I wasn’t ready to rule. But if I served in Malvoria, I could earn my way back. It was the only path I had.”

“You wanted to become a Serpent.”

“I wanted to stay Summer more.” Her eyes searched mine. “But you never asked, Severyn. You just assumed… and cut me off.”

My throat tightened. “I didn’t know.”

Myla blinked fast, as if holding something back. “When you’re weak, Sev, it’s the only time I’m seen.”

“I don’t want to fight over this,” I whispered. “But I thought you chose him over me.”

“I did,” she said. “Because I couldn’t unsee your privilege.”

I swallowed. “What am I now?”

She softened. “My friend. If you’ll let me be.”

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