Chapter 17 · Untitled Chapter

"Read it." The paper smacked Ryan in the chest before the messenger finished crossing the hall.

Ryan caught the edge, glanced at the crown seal, and let the warrant drop between his boots. Two soldiers flanked the messenger, hands resting on their sword hilts. Matthias moved in at Ryan's shoulder.

"Pick it up," the messenger said. "Read it aloud. Let the whole room hear the charge from your own mouth."

"I know how to read," Ryan said. "I don't perform tricks for strangers who kick down doors."

"Ryan." Matthias kept his voice low. "That seal is official. Don't push this."

"I saw the seal." Ryan didn't look away from the messenger. "I want him to say the words."

The messenger smiled. He'd expected fear. That made Ryan's skin prickle worse than the soldiers' drawn attention.

He unrolled a second sheet and held it high.

"Ryan Ashe. Heir of Frosthollow. Charged with treason against the crown. Conspiracy to divert royal grain shipments and fund armed resistance in the north."

A murmur moved through the hall.

The messenger let it build before adding, "Your brother has been missing in the capital for seventy-two hours.