Page 78 of She Who Was Severed

I almost laugh.

She tilts her head. “The Council has labeled her rogue. Pathless turned bonded. Illegally. That makes her dangerous. And you’re Flameborn. You’re a weapon on two legs.”

I shrug. “Then I suppose you’d better be careful with me.”

She smiles. Thin and unpleasant. “We are.”

I let the silence stretch. Let her wonder what I’m waiting for.

Eventually, she sighs. Closes the folder. Stands. “We’ll speak again.”

I nod once. Not agreement. Just acknowledgment.

She leaves.

This time, the lock clicks harder.

The dragon breathes hot, pushing against my chest like it wants out.

I let him press. Let him remind me that I could leave. I could scorch the stone black, melt the hinges, fly. But I won’t.

Not yet.

Because if they’re watching me this closely, it means they’re scared. It means they think she’s worth fearing. And that’s leverage.

A second knock. Lighter.

Then a man steps in—older, face lined, clothes too fine for a place like this. No guards at his back. He closes the door behind him gently, like we’re just two men having tea.

He looks like my father, but he isn’t. Too soft around the eyes. Too fast to sigh.

“Kellen,” he says, hands folding in front of him. “I come on behalf of House Tor.”

Finally.

He doesn’t sit. Just stands there, letting the silence say the things he won’t.

“I want to be clear. I’m not here to punish you.”

I arch a brow.

He gives a small smile—polite, unreadable. “As you know, your father values appearances above all else. And he is… insistent that we avoid another scandal. Particularly one involving his only heir.”

He opens his coat. Pulls out a single page, handwritten, sealed. “This is a formal release order. If you state her location and sign it, we’ll file your cooperation with the Council under ‘assisting an active investigation.’”

I nod. “And the condition?”

He sighs. “There’s concern. Your connection to Freya. Your… feelings. We need to know she’s safe.”

“Or controlled,” I say flatly.

He doesn’t deny it. “We’ll send a team. Bring her in. Discreetly. No harm.”

The dragon rumbles in protest. I ignore it.

“We’ll house her in Solenn,” the man adds. “Neutral territory. Protective oversight. Until you return.”

“Return?”