Page 7 of The Bound Mage
“The situation in the New Dominion has worsened,” he said. “My sources say the Arcanum’s so-called High Inquisitor is personally leading a new crackdown in the fae districts—searching for someone.”
His gaze drifted toward Loren, flicking away again the second their eyes met.
“Travel restrictions have been implemented across the fae districts. Any fae found outside designated areas without documentation are being detained on sight—many have not resurfaced.”
“Interrogations?” Eloria asked.
“They’ve become standard procedure,” Eryn confirmed. “Anyone suspected of harboring fugitives is being questioned—some publicly, some… less so.” He turned the page in front ofhim without looking up. “There are unconfirmed reports that Garrick Shaw’s son is personally involved.”
Of course he was. Loren clenched his jaw, tightening his grip on the shadows as they hissed and churned around his feet. Jaxon didn’t just want his toys back—he wanted to make an example out of anyone who might have even considered helping them.
“Operative Finn Greenvale has gone to ground,” Eryn continued, flipping another page. “His identification papers are holding—for now—but extractions have stalled. We’ll need to reroute.”
“What about Serafina Hart?” Loren demanded.
Eryn blinked at him. “Who?”
“The Healer,” Loren said tightly. “She’s the one who got me out.”
“Ah, yes—the turncoat.” Eryn flipped through his notes without looking up. “Intelligence indicates she was intercepted shortly after your extraction. We’ve seen no evidence that she’s been executed, but without contact we have to assume?—”
“She risked everything to get us out.” Loren stared around at the gathered advisors, hardly able to believe what he was hearing. “She stayed behind to give us the best chance at escaping—and we’re not eventryingto find her? How many others has she saved?”
“The sympathizers who remain in the New Dominion know the risks.” Eryn frowned, closing his ledger with a snap. “It’s not that we aren’t grateful, Your Majesty. If the Arcanum took her...well, there’s just not much we can do.”
“Serafina Hart isn’t just a sympathizer,” Eloria said, her voice cooling. “She’s the reason my brother is even sitting at this table. We can spare something to find out what happened to her.”
Eryn stiffened, his jaw tightening. “Of course, Your Majesty,” he said after a beat. “I’ll issue a quiet inquiry. But like I said, if she’s already been captured it’s likely too late?—”
“Do it anyway,” Eloria said. “Quietly.”
The High Arbiter leaned forward again, his chair creaking. “Given Jaxon Shaw’s involvement, it seems prudent to speak to the female that came here with you. Our reports indicate that she’s his bond?—”
“Don’t call her that,” Loren growled. “She was as much his prisoner as I was. And youwon’tbe speaking with her.”
The shadows curled around his boots, hissing their agreement. Araya had been through enough already—she didn’t need to be interrogated on top of it.
“Regardless of what you call her, Eryn’s reports indicate she worked closely with the younger Shaw and his father.” The Keeper of the Coin pursed her lips. “Her insight could be invaluable?—”
“Assuming she even intends to share it,” Eryn murmured without looking up from his documents. “His Majesty calls her a prisoner, but she didn’t leave the Shaws willingly. We cannot be certain she will work against them at all, even if she is the prince’s mate.”
Loren’s head snapped up, shadows shivering around him. They shouldn’t have known that. No one knew the details of their escape—or his relationship with Araya. No one but him, Thorne, Nyra, and?—
Eloria.
“You briefed them on her?” he demanded.
“They need to know, Loren,” Eloria said, her voice carefully even. “There are a lot of factors at play here.”
Loren’s hands curled into fists under the table, his nails biting into his palms. He forced himself to look away from his sister, not trusting himself as the shadows writhed around hisboots. They hissed and spat, muttered demands calming at the edges his control.
No one here had seen the marks Jaxon had left on her—body and soul. None of them woke from her nightmares, their hearts racing with her terror. She hadn’t even admitted the full truth to herself. The last thing she needed was to have every choice she made picked over by the Small Council like vultures.
“Regardless of the details,” said the High Arbiter, eyeing the restless shadows warily, “Araya Starwind’s role in your escape cannot be ignored. At the very least, we need to confirm her loyalties. If you won’t bring her from Ithralis, perhaps one of us could go there?—”
“Absolutely not.”
The shadows hissed their agreement, the temperature in the room plummeting.
