Page 57 of Severed Heir

I brushed past him and walked to the door, shoving it open. Cold air rushed in, biting the heat off my skin.

“Come,” I said over my shoulder. “An Autumn realm awaits.”

Outside, silver columns rose from the earth like roots turned skyward, ancient and otherworldly. Lights blinked to life across the valley as if stars had settled on the ground. Homes unfurled from the hillsides, built into the land like they’d always belonged. The streets shimmered beneath my feet, veined with gold and soft moss, glowing faintly with life.

Holy realms—this wasn’t like anything I’d ever seen. Sabitha had told me about the more advanced regions. I guessed this was one of them.

“It’s beautiful,” I whispered.

“Tyvern honors nature,” Archer said, stepping beside me. “They built around the land, not over it.” He glanced toward the forest’s edge. “Wouldn’t be surprised if a bear strolled past.”

Civilians passed in rich shades of saffron and scarlet, some hauling bushels of bark and branches in creaking carts.

Archer guided us through the fog-choked streets until we reached the center of Tyvern, where a moss-draped tower loomed. The clock face was cracked, ticking slow and tiredthrough the haze. A phoenix watched from a nearby tree, its feathers blood-red, flames curling lazily off its wings.

At the door, a young royal guard straightened. His blond hair whipped in the wind, navy cap barely holding.

Without hesitation, Archer tugged the collar of his shirt down, revealing the black serpent mark inked near his collarbone.

“Serpent,” he said.

Then the guard’s gaze flicked to me. “And her?”

“My heir,” Archer replied, bold and blunt. The edge in his voice wasn’t subtle.

The guard cocked his head. “The Night Serpent has an heir. Where did it mark her?”

I stepped forward. “You can speak to me directly. I do have a voice.”

He ignored me, his eyes locked on Archer. “Where did it mark her?”

I rolled my shoulders with a quiet scoff. Archer held out his hand, shadows slipping between his fingers. “You will not see her body.”

“It’s fine,” I said before he could stop me. I shrugged off the shawl, revealing the serpent tail coiled along my spine.

The guard studied it, lips pressed into a line. “That’s a rare one. I’d love to know how it surrendered.”

A cold breeze cut across my skin. I pulled the shawl back on. “What does that mean?”

“Most Serpent marks come with blood. Fangs, hissing. Yours looks… calm.”

Archer’s grip tightened at my wrist, guiding me toward the door. “We won’t keep Kamila waiting.”

Inside, the air shifted. Warmth radiated through golden trim and painted leaves that curled across the ceiling like vines. The scent of cinnamon and spice drifted from hidden vents, wrapping around me in a gentle welcome.

The woman who’d helped me earlier stepped from a side hall, her eyes lighting up as they fell on the gown trailing down my legs.

“Simply divine,” she beamed. “Orange is your color.”

“Kamila,” Archer began. “I appreciate your hospitality. It’s been too long since our lands met.”

I lowered my shoulders. “You’re—you’re the Serpent of Tyvern?”

Kamila smiled. “It’s rare, meeting the Night Serpent’s heir. We so rarely get the chance to commune. But I remember the claim he made at the Bid—my, it’s been the talk of the Autumn realms for weeks.”

Archer shot me a dry glance. “Yes. My claim was true. Severyn is my heir.”

Kamila waved us forward, leading us deeper into the estate. We passed a towering wall of weapons—swords with ruby and jade hilts, daggers edged in black, blades tipped in ice—all gleaming beneath the low firelight.

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