Page 7 of Severed Heir

Sabitha didn’t answer. She just finished her apple, wiped the juice from her chin, and started walking. I followed her toward a small cabin tucked beneath the trees.

Inside, it smelled like smoke and old wood. Two narrow beds lined the far wall, separated only by a threadbare curtain strung between crooked planks. It wasn’t much, but it was dry. And just warm enough to survive the night.

Sabitha flopped onto one of them, boots thudding, blades clattering to the floor. “I snore,” she warned. “This will be the only apology you get.”

“Oh, that’s okay,” I said quickly, because honestly, she looked like she could strangle me in her sleep without ever getting up.

“Good,” Sabitha muttered. “Now shut your eyes.”

When her breathing steadied, I let the bond open, let it flare softly through me like a flicker of light behind closed eyes.“Are you awake?”

His voice came instantly. “Yes. Is everything okay?”

“I’m in Harlynn.”

Sabitha shifted, letting out a low, guttural noise in her sleep.

“Harlynn?”His voice tightened.“Malachi’s uncle’s territory?”

“We’re stopping for the night. Charles sent a Briber like I’m some criminal being escorted to Malvoria. He can’t do this.”

I felt him pause through the bond.“Just spend a few months there. See what the Forgotten are capable of. You’re the only one who can.”

I hated that he was right. I might only get the answers I needed about my mother’s involvement with the Forgotten there.

“Will you visit?”I asked.

“As soon as I can.”

“Is everything okay in Demetria?”

“My father’s dragon was seen above my lands. I had no choice but to come home if he planned to steal back the sunlight. And at this point, I’m willing to give it to him.”

“Have you began preparing?”Distant memories of my father locked away in his studies when I was a child came to my mind. All he could mutter for months was, ‘rations.’

“I am dealing with it, Severyn.”

The weight of his words settled on me. It wasn’t just the sun they were fighting for, it was power. Archer had given up his sunlight to save my father from his failed bargain.

I forced a smile into my voice.“Can we lighten the topic? Tell me a story?”

“I thought we were done with bedtime stories?”

“Never,”I teased.“You’re such a good storyteller.”

His sigh was soft, yet playful.“There once was a girl from a frozen realm—”

I cut him off with a laugh.“Not about me.”

“So, you already know the end of the story?”

I smiled. “Let me guess, she wields the power of flame and ends up with the stars?”

“Careful, wouldn’t want anyone to believe you’re a Seeker.”His voice lightened.“The girl had a mission to save the sun and her frozen land—”

“You make me sound like a hero.”

“And perhaps I’m the villain, trapping you in darkness.”

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