Page 50 of Severed Heir

I didn’t believe he was. “What happened?” I asked, voice hoarse. But Father only moaned, the words lost in his throat.

Charles crouched beside us, voice grim. “What do you think happened, Severyn? Your Serpent’s father came back. He reclaimed his sun.” His gaze dropped to the mark peeking from my torn sleeve. “Your mark is showing. Did you tell Myla?”

I tugged the blanket tighter around my shoulders, feeling the sting of tears pressing behind my eyes. “What can I do? Tell me. I’ll do anything.”

Charles opened his mouth to speak, but Father raised a hand, cutting him off. “Severyn… I need you to find me an heir.”

I stared at him, lost. “I—I don’t understand.”

Charles pressed his thumb against his temple. “Father, she’s exactly like Mother. She can’t be trusted. She needs to be placed under Malvoria’s command.”

Father’s head lifted slightly, his stare clear for the first time. “Severyn was chosen to be a Serpent. It’s in her blood.”

“How?” I rasped. “How can I find you an heir?”

“The final trial. I need to ensure a Winter student wins.”

I pressed my heated palm to Father’s forehead, panic knotting in my chest. “I don’t understand what you’re asking. I’m not a student at Serpent anymore.”

“Attend the final trial. Wield the snake at the right moment, Severyn. As you did when you claimed your heirship.”

Charles scoffed, voice sharp. “Yes, let’s speak louder of treason. I quite enjoy it.”

I glared at my eldest brother. “Well, I’m being forced into the Malvoria guards. What happens there should be considered torture.”

Charles’s mouth tightened. I caught the flicker of hesitation in his gaze—like maybe, just maybe, hewastrying to protect me.

Father leaned heavily against the gray velvet couch, the color bleeding slowly back into his cheeks. I worried how long his strength would last. “Charles has no right to hold a Serpent against their will," he said.

But Charles crossed his arms, not backing down. “Keeping Severyn under Malvoria’s watch is for her safety. People are wondering why every Night student was hauled to Malvoria. It is only a matter of time before the truth comes out.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “If she declares her title publicly, the power her words could carry…”

A wave of fury lashed through me. “Iearnedmy title. I’ll be damned if anyone believes it was handed to me.”

Charles’s voice dropped, low and cold. “Let me be curt, Severyn. If you leave the Malvoria guards, I won’t protect you when your heirship is challenged. The punishment is prison… or death. Worse than being stripped of your quell, might I add.”

My throat burned. “Your institute is worse than death. The dungeons? It’s barbaric.” I stood, my fists trembling. “In case you’re wondering, I’ve spent every night scrubbing blood and guts from the floor.”

Charles’s hand shot out, grabbing my wrist. “Perhaps that’s why your title will be questioned. Because you weren’t ready.”

The words sliced deep.

I jerked away, my voice cutting sharper than frost. “At least I made it further than you. You sold yourself and our family for badges. When this land dies, Charles, it’ll be your fault because you gave up.”

Rage flashed across his face. “How dare you,” he spat. “I didn’t have a choice.”

“And neither did I,” I hissed. “But Istillfight for this place. I’m here. And I’ll be the one who saves it. So, fuck you, and that institute.”

Without waiting for his answer, I turned and headed for the stairs. I didn’t look back. Not once. Charles never believed in me. It was him all along who was forcing me to attend that institute.

I passed Fraser slumped against the wall, snoring softly. Antonia sprawled across the spare bed, hoarding every blanket. I stifled a laugh, because she’d clearly kicked him out. He seemed like the type to give the shirt off his back, even if someone stole his bed in return.

Upstairs, Myla was curled in the corner of my bed, half-buried beneath the red silk duvet. I slid in beside her, letting the familiar weight of home settle over me like snowfall.

For the first time in weeks, I let my Serpent mark breathe. Archer had wanted me to stay in Malvoria. He’d known I wasn’t ready, that claiming my heirship would turn the world’s gaze toward Night—and him.

But I couldn’t stay hidden while my home withered.

I thought about pleading with Victor, begging him to return the Northern sun. But I knew better now. Father had taught me never barter with a Lynch.

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