Chapter 24 · The Choice

“Take your hand off her.”

Cain’s voice cut through the council chamber before the iron chain around my wrist could tighten again.

Lord Veyr only laughed. “You don’t give orders here, Abyss Lord.”

“Then stop touching what belongs to me.”

Every head turned toward us. The council had packed the chamber for my judgment, but nobody was looking at me now. They were watching Cain’s hand locked around my waist, his body pressed behind mine, his breath warm against the side of my neck.

He had dragged me out of the execution circle less than a minute ago. His black coat was torn at the shoulder. Blood ran down his fingers. I couldn’t tell if it was his or the guards’.

Probably both.

“Belongs to you?” I snapped. “That’s your defense?”

Cain’s grip tightened. “You want me to say it louder?”

“I want you to stop making decisions for me.”

“Then stop standing where they can kill you.”

The chain around my wrist gave a sharp jerk. Pain shot up my arm, and a red mark burned across my skin. Lord Veyr pulled the other end from the raised platform.

“Enough of this,” he said.