He taught them how to exploit magical affinities. How to isolate a Bloodbond before they could reach striking distance. How to overwhelm a Runewright without ever being touched. How to break the morale of the enemy. How to hold strong together.
Gods.
He taught them where to position artillery along Virellin’s outskirts. Which roads would bottleneck an advancing army. Which gates would fall first if enough pressure was applied.
He taught them how to invade Dravara.
He taught them how to think like him.
The realization lands harder than any blade ever could.
He remembers being proud of them.
He stands there, chest rising slow, eyes fixed on the wreckage. Already thinking three moves ahead. Already adjusting. Because that’s what he does. That’s what he was made to do. Even now.Especially now.
The air shifts—an electric hum like the air before a storm.
A slit forms in the air, and Seren steps through.
His heart beats harder, pounding against his ribcage.
“Seren,” he breathes.
He drags his gaze over her, scanning for injuries. Her hair is wet, pulled back in a braid like she’s just bathed, fresh leathers pulled taut over her skin.Safe.
But…
Her hand.
He closes the gap between them, eyes narrowing on the imprint on her palm.
He reaches for her, eyes fixed on…
“A noose,” he murmurs, his eyes snapping up to hers.
She shrugs. “My mark. For joining The Dreaded, apparently,” she explains simply.
He doesn’t move for a moment. Just studies her. She’s changed so much these last few weeks. Changed before his eyes into someone undeniable, fierce, so sure of her own place in the world.
And Teddy? He isn’t sure of anything.
He moves to pull her in, to press a kiss to her forehead, but her words from days prior slam into his chest.
I ask that you do not touch me while you ask me to wait. Do not give me crumbs when what I deserve is a meal.
He stops himself, trying desperately to respect her wishes.
Seren notices his hesitation, and sadness forms in her eyes. She huffs a soft exhale, and drags her attention across the room. It snags on splintered wood, fractured furniture.
“So Rubi figured it out?” Seren asks, a heaviness to her tone.
Teddy grunts in response. “She showed me Dravara’s import ledgers—no ironsap going in. Which means it’s leaving Nymeris’ docks, and then… secretly disappearing into Dravara’s water supply.”
Seren nods slowly, like she’s calculating and organizing every piece of information. But her attention settles on him, loaded with meaning, like she can see through to the very marrow of him. “None of us knew, Teddy.”
He averts his gaze, intertwining his fingers behind his head, and striding across the room.
“None of you trained their fucking army, Seren,” he snaps.
