Page 98 of Severed Heir

“Ellison,” I gasped, throwing flame at his feet. “Don’t come any closer.”

He raised his hands, breathing hard. “Run. I followed your ash... but Damien followed mine.”

“Damien,” I hissed. “Get him away from me. Now.”

The wind thickened, turning sharp with grit. Sand and glass swirled in the air, catching the firelight in a storm of shimmer and dust. From the heart of it, Damien stepped through. “Severyn Blanche,” he said, his voice low and steady. “Don’t yell at me.”

I turned to face him, every nerve on edge. “My father just handed me over like I was a bargaining chip, I am allowed to yell.”

Damien took a step closer. “I didn’t ask for this either. I know it’s messed up, but I didn’t force his hand. I didn’t make him say those words.”

“How do I know you didn’t contort his mind?”

“You don’t,” he said flatly. “But why would I want to marry someone in love with my brother?”

My chest cracked open. “You tested my quell,” I said, voice breaking. “You killed Everett. You gave me that pendant to spy on me, to listen to my thoughts. I mourned you.”

Ellison stepped between us. “Why are you even here? She doesn’t want you.”

Damien’s gaze sharpened. “We don’t need to like each other. But the marriage is happening. That’s what it means to be a Serpent.”

“It doesn’t have to be our life.”

“Did you read the note I left you that night?” His voice dropped. “If you had, this wouldn’t be a surprise.”

“What note?” My words caught in my throat.

“That first trial?” he said, quiet now. “It told me I’d be betrayed by my own blood. That I’d still succeed. Archer betrayed me the moment he chose you.”

“I’m not your property,” I said, shaking. “And I didn’t read the damn note.” In truth, I wasn’t strong enough to read it.

He held my gaze. “Of course you didn’t.”

I turned toward the courtyard, shoving open the estate doors. “I’m done for the night. The both of you can leave.”

Damien’s voice echoed behind me. “Two men pounding at your castle doors. Isn’t this your fairytale, Sev?”

I slammed the door in his face, then crumbled.

Amria stood near the hearth, arms full of cloth. “You don’t look well.”

“I’m not,” I said. “I’m being forced to marry Archer’s brother.”

And from her silence and shuddered gasp, I figured she knew about that barter. Everyone seemed to know.

She glanced out the stained-glass window. “The beasts will eat them by twilight. If you want.”

I sank deeper into the stone archway of Archer’s estate.

“Talk to me,”Damien said in my mind.

“Leave.”

“Give me five minutes. Then decide.”

I slid down the iron door, my back pressed to it. I knew he wouldn’t let this go. He never did.

When I finally opened it, his fist hovered mid-knock. “I don’t care to hear your explanation,” I said flatly.

---