Page 79 of Severed Heir

But the silence that followed screamed louder than anything she could have said. Amria was hiding something. And I would find out what, one way or another. Because tonight, I wasn’t just anyone. Tonight, I would stand before the Continent.

Tonight was my titling.

My titling ceremony felt like the Serpent Bid all over again.

I thought back to my childhood, the few Serpents I’d met growing up were all from Winter. But now, within the span of an hour, nearly a dozen wings broke through the shadowed shields around us. Some portaled through the sky, others emerged through bursts of wind and flame.

Lasar, the sixth Winter Serpent, bowed low before me. “You look lovely, Severyn,” he said. “I always knew you’d end up a Serpent. Perhaps not of Night—but if you’d been your father’s heir, it would’ve taken years to clean up the mess he left behind.”

I remembered Lasar from the Serpent Bid, he was the one who’d forced my father to confess the truth about the bargain with Victor.

He leaned in and added, “Victor Lynch would’ve poisoned you long before you ever reached the throne.”

The words landed hard. I stiffened.

“The Lynches seem to have a history with the Blanches,” I said quietly.

Lasar smiled. “It wasn’t history.”

“You make it sound like a prophecy,” I whispered.

“Just every Seeker known to Verdonia predicted the unification of flame and shadow,” he said, his voice laced with a chilling certainty. “There’s a reason your titling isn’t shocking.”

I didn’t want to talk about prophecies. “Archer is a great Serpent, and I’m honored to be his heir. If you’ll excuse me, I must find him.”

I turned away, pushing through the same Serpents who had once watched me trapped behind a glass cage. Who saw me claimed by two of their own. Who watched now, curious-eyed and whispering.

As I passed, Ellison caught my arm. “I was promised a date with a Serpent—not to be paraded around like a titling side piece. I don’t do well with gawking.”

“Oh, just enjoy it,” I muttered. “Flirt with a Serpent, for all I care.”

He smirked. “Why didn’t you tell me at the institute? We spent hours suffering in that dungeon together.”

I exhaled. “I needed to prove myself. That’s all.”

“You win Serpent and still have to risk your life?” He raised a brow. “That sounds unfair.”

“It’s... complicated.”

“I’m good with complicated,” he said, stepping closer. “The least you could do is try to explain.”

I pushed him forward through the crowd. “Actually, I don’t owe you anything,” I said.

My shoulders tensed as a sheet of white light flickered across the stone floor. The crash of distant waves echoed beyond the estate, but all I could hear were boots.

Across the courtyard, Monty Garcia bowed with a calculated smile, his posture sharp, locked on me like a predator sighting prey.

I turned immediately, instinct tightening my spine and quickening my pulse. Anywhere but here. But I didn’t get far. Light chains snapped around my wrist, warm and binding. I hissed as he tugged the thread tighter.

“Long time, no see, Monty,” I said tightly.

Ellison glanced between us, his brows drawn as he took a subtle step back. “I’m going to find wine,” he muttered. “Or maybe something stronger.”

Monty’s voice followed like frost. “I’ve only come to congratulate you, Severyn.”

“Like hell,” I snapped. “You tried to kill me weeks ago.” The words came too easily. Because I hadn’t forgotten his sword nearly puncturing my heart when he learned of my true bloodline.

A smug smile flashed across his face. “There’s a reason I claimed you, Severyn.”

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