Page 97 of Severed Heir

“You know damn well he’s been charged with treason.”

Ellison cut in. “You’re burning the boat, Severyn.”

I glanced down. Sure enough, my boot had left a scorched imprint on the deck. I nearly shoved Damien aside. “Leave me alone. As far as I’m concerned, you’re still dead.”

The boat lurched as we docked. I didn’t wait. I tore up the stairs and climbed the ladder, desperate to get off this godsdamned vessel.

The Serpent Estate loomed ahead, cradled by mountain-carved trees and stone serpents coiled in shadow and moss. An aide took my jacket, replaced it with a glass of iced evergreen beer—the North Colindale classic. Within moments, nearly three dozen Serpents closed in around me.

A sharp thud cracked through the hum of voices. The king’s cane struck the onyx floor.

“Nothing quite like a victorious trial,” the king said. “Three titlings in one week. A first in Serpent Academy history.”

Not a word about Malachi. He lifted his goblet like it was something to celebrate. “Today marks a rare day in Verdonia. Two heirs have been named.”

“To commemorate the Bid, those Serpents who bet on Damien Lynch may collect their earnings after the ceremony.” His gaze shifted to a row of expressionless nobles. “As for Bridger Thorne, I grant him hope—to survive his fallen country.”

There was Bridger. Silver-haired, blue-eyed, and deathly still. He wasn’t smiling. He was glaring at someone.

A voice sliced through the hall like ice. “Your Majesty. One bid has fallen through that requires discussion.”

The voice was unmistakably my father’s.

Bridger wasn’t just looking at him. He was judging him. And my father… gods, he looked worse than I remembered. His beard had gone grayer, his eyes sunken.

Lasar leaned in beside me. “Victor Lynch has an heir,” he murmured. “You know what that means.”

And I did. All at once.

“Don’t you dare,” I whispered.

The king’s brow furrowed. “What bid are you referring to?”

“My barter with Victor Lynch has been reclaimed,” my father said calmly. “The marriage between our children is to proceed, now that his son has claimed heirship.”

The king’s grip tightened around his serpent cane. “Ah, but Archer Lynch is imprisoned. He claimed her during the Bid, and Victor forfeited his sunlight.”

Father didn’t blink. “Archer had no authority to break a bargain sealed nearly a decade ago. We were only waiting for his heir.” Then his gaze slid to Damien. “The bargain holds. My daughter will marry his son. My realm depends on it.”

I couldn’t breathe. He’d offered my life, for a debt.

The king’s voice lowered. “Forcing your daughter to marry would—”

“She didn’t claim my title,” Father snapped. “She is not my heir. But I must protect my land.”

Victor Lynch stepped forward, one hand clamped over Damien’s shoulder. “A barter is a barter. Severyn Blanche will marry my son. And in return, I will grant eternal sunlight, as promised.”

“Then grant it now,” Father said. “My realm cannot wait.”

My voice rose before I could stop it. “Do I not have a choice? Do I not have a right to love?” It was the first time I had ever raised my voice at my father. I didn’t care.

“This was decided long ago,” he said. “Our family needs the Lynches to survive.”

I didn’t wait to hear the rest. I bolted through the estate doors, burning tears stinging my eyes. I didn’t think, I just opened a portal and went through it without direction or care. Anywhere was better than here.

I hit the dark mulch hard and screamed. “What the hell just happened?”

Another flare of ash ripped through the air. Ellison dropped beside me, landing on his knees. “Shit, that hurt!” he cussed.

---