Page 225 of The Fifth Heir

Then his expression softened.

“But I know you, Talia.”

Violet light receded from his face.

“You’ll find the meaning they tried to erase.”

Leander stood within the frost consuming his passage. His eyes never left hers.

“The Crown Accords recognize an heir’s right to surrender,” he said. “No heir may be compelled to pursue victory after making a formal concession.”

Rafe stared at him. “You’re invoking crown law against a sentient dungeon?”

“I’m establishing intent.”

Leander placed one hand over his torc.

“I, Leander of the Frost Line, surrender my individual claim to victory.”

The blue objective above his gate flickered.

Rafe’s grin returned, strained but real. “That actually worked.”

“Not entirely.”

“No, but it annoyed the Trial. That’s close enough.”

Rafe touched his silver torc. “I, Rafe of the Storm Line, surrender my individual claim.”

Sebastian followed.

“I, Sebastian of the Shadow Line, surrender my individual claim.”

Three objectives went dark.

Mine remained.

The crown had shaped every year of my life. My family had trained me to claim it, defend it, and destroy anyone who stood between me and it. My dragon understood possession. He understood victory.

He also understood Talia.

For the first time, surrender did not feel like failure. It felt like the first decision about the crown that belonged entirely to me.

I placed my palm against the fire stone.

“I, Torren of the Fire Line, surrender my individual claim.”

The final objective vanished.

Darkness filled the chamber.

The torcs released us.

The elements stopped moving.

For one breath, everything was still.

Then the ancient runes beneath the altered Stone work awakened.