Page 79 of She Who Was Severed

He hesitates. “Your father wants you home. Temporarily. For counsel.”

That word again. It always means control.

I take the page when he offers it. Skim the lines. There’s a blank space for her location. All looks very legitimate.

But this man—he’s too smooth. Too eager. He hasn’t said his name, says he speaks for my father, but I’ve never seen him before.

Feels wrong.

Too convenient.

So I write something else. A real place, but far from Ashmere. A quiet crossing near the southern breakwaters—half-drowned, half-forgotten.

Let them search ruins for ghosts.

I sign it.

He looks relieved. “You’ve done the right thing.”

I stand.

“I’ll go there myself,” I say.

The man doesn’t quite flinch, but something shifts behind his eyes. “Not required. The Council’s already authorized a retrieval. Quiet. Official. No delays.”

“She won’t come with strangers.”

“She won’t have to,” he says smoothly. “They’ll say the order came from you. Your seal’s already on the release form. Her safety is our priority, Kellen. You have my word.”

The dragon snarls low. Not at him. At the lie.

But I nod. Just once. “Then make sure they find her fast.”

“We will,” he says. “And when she arrives, we’ll keep her safe at Solenn. Until you’re cleared to join her.”

I hesitate. Just long enough to make him wonder. “Fine.”

He gathers the papers, tucks them into his coat. “You’ve done your part. Carefully.”

I don’t answer.

The door closes behind him.

I stand still. Listening.

The dragon presses against my ribs. Not warning now. Approval.

I glance once at the pen I used, still on the table. Good luck finding her, I think. Hope they enjoy the arse end of nowhere.

I don’t move.

Not yet.

- x -

Freya

The dream doesn’t come like the others.