Page 80 of Severed Heir

“Your claim is worthless, but enlighten me.”

His gaze swept the crowd as though searching for something, or someone. “An alliance for a barter.”

“What do you barter?” I asked.

“Daylight quells trap the sun, Severyn. I’ll save your father’s land, but all you must do is ally with me.” His voice dripped with a calculated sweetness, like honey laced with venom.

“I already have a barter for sunlight.”

He tightened the ropes of light around my wrist, yanking me closer. “You forget, trapping the sun requires a daylight quell. And everyone who promises sunlight, Severyn, is a liar. They need me.”

I remembered Archer telling me that once in Ravensla. Still, I didn’t trust Monty. “You don’t want an alliance. You want a crown. There’s always a price for your barters, Monty. What is it this time?”

His grin spread wide, but there was no warmth in it, just teeth. “The king has chosen six Serpents to compete for his title and you’re one of them.”

“You’re lying.”

The chains of light cinched tighter, searing into my skin. I stumbled forward. “Soon you’ll be searching for your heir,” he said softly, “once Archer is called to fight against me… and doesn’t survive.”

My breath snagged. “The king set a trial for his heir? When?”

“As he planned all along,” Monty said with a flicker of satisfaction. “He only hoped his blood would stand a chance.”

Understanding hit like a blade. “You want me to ally with you, so I don’t kill you when this so-called trial happens?”

“Exactly.” His gaze flicked to the burn on my wrist. “If we’re the last ones standing, the throne is mine.”

“And if I break our alliance?” I asked, jaw tight.

Monty chuckled. “Then I’ll strip the sun from every step you take—and the light from your mind.”

His hand hovered near my wrist, fingers twisting ever so slightly. A dark, sunless patch bloomed beneath me, leeching warmth from the air. “This sunlight you feel?” he murmured. “It was brought by a daylight quell. I could take it away in seconds.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” I hissed.

“There’s a reason the other Daylight realms went barren, Severyn. And it wasn’t the Forgotten.” He leaned in, voice dropping to a chilling whisper. “My grandparents locked away the light from those realms before they fell. That’s why you should fear me. I am the most powerful Serpent to ever live.”

“Then tell me,” I snapped, “if you’re so powerful, why is the sun still fading in North Colindale?”

Monty tilted his head. “Because my grandfather was the middleman between Victor and your father. But daylight is... fickle. It fades. It slips away until there’s nothing left. Victor didn’t reclaim his sun from the North, it faded.” He paused. “When you were meant to marry Victor’s heir, the light was supposed to return. That was the deal. Consider it... a debt unpaid.”

“Well, I’m not paying it,” I said flatly. “I’m not bartering with you.”

He laughed, low and sure of himself. “You say that now. But one day, when you’re desperate you’ll come. And when you do, my price might not be so kind.”

A shadow shifted beneath me. A cold hand gripped my shoulder, pulling me from the growing tension.

“Delightful to meet your company, Garcia,” Archer said coolly. Then, with a glance at me, he said, “Severyn, perhaps you should tend to the other guests. We wouldn’t want anyone thinking you’ve chosen a realm to favor.”

As we turned away from Monty, his voice dropped. “Need I remind you how dangerous he is?”

“He was just congratulating me,” I muttered.

“I doubt that,” he said.

Then came the sweep of violins and the soft chime of harps rising over the hush of conversation. We wove through the crowd, my silver and red gown trailing behind me like moonlight.

That’s when I saw her. Amber eyes. Blonde hair cascading over sharp shoulders.

---