“You test my patience,” he said softly. “Three days remain, and already they dare to ignore my boundaries to reach you.”
“You seemed to know everything about me, Talon,” I started, lifting my chin despite the ache in my neck. “So you must be aware that I will not be caged. Not by the council and not by fear.”
His hand came up, his fingers drifting so gently across the mark on my throat, I almost thought I was imagining it.
“I intend to protect you,” he murmured, his finger moving to my jawline. “And I will not allow anyone get in the way of that. Not even my own kin.”
I let out a shaky breath, finally finding my voice through the haze of his presence.
“Step away from me, Talon.”
He drew his hand away, leaving a cold ache behind.
“I will see you at the Lumina at first light, little flame.”
The Lumina.
Yesterday’s visit had been a mere formality to ensure my name remained on the registry, but tomorrow was the trial. It was the Great Hall of Haelen where the council sat in judgment seventy-two hours before solstice, forced to play the part of themerciful protector while I was made to justify why I remained unbound.
They would watch from their high stone chairs, pretending to care about my reasons, while the clock ticked down to the moment they could finally cast me out.
“Perfect,” I bit out.
4
CHAPTER FOUR
The Great Hall of Lumina was built to intimidate.
Cold white marble stretched beneath my feet, polished so smooth my own reflection looked like a ghost walking beneath me. Every step I took down the central aisle echoed against the vaulted rafters, the sound too loud.
Banners bearing the twin-serpent ouroboros hung from the pillars, their fangs locked in an endless circle that felt less like a symbol of life and more like a warning of a trap.
At the far end, the Council sat elevated upon a crescent of high-backed chairs carved from the same pale stone as the pillars.
I swallowed against the tightness climbing my throat and forced myself to lift my gaze toward the dais.
Lord Evander—the eldest of the council—occupied the center seat, his silver-white beard spilling over his robe like a river of frost. To his left sat Dame Seraphina, his second in command.
As enforcers of Haelen’s law, they were the final authority on the unbound.
A subtle disturbance near the base of the dais fractured the silence. A Veythar, his face half-veiled by the hood of his obsidian cloak, leaned toward a High Court guard and murmured something too low for me to hear.
The guard stiffened, his gaze snapping to me.
“Lord Evander,” he announced, his voice booming against the vaulted rafters, “Kaelia Vaser was scheduled for assessment last night. The Veythar report she fled before the resonance could be recorded.”
Evander’s gaze descended upon me. “Is this true, Kaelia? Did you flee the Master of Umbral’s men?”
The entire hall seemed to inhale at once. I felt their scrutiny settle like chains across my shoulders.
“Yes, sir.”
Evander leaned forward slightly, fingers steepled beneath his chin. “I see no certificates of bond filed from your ward within the last twenty-four hours.”
“I am not bound,” I replied.
Lord Evander tilted his head. “Then explain why you fled.”