Chapter 10 · Oathkeeper's Crack

"Get out."

Carson's voice cut through the tomb chamber before I could turn around. He stood in the doorway, sword drawn, eyes locked on my mother's corpse.

"You swore you couldn't enter," I said.

"I swore to guard it." He stepped inside. The door groaned shut behind him. "From thieves. From looters. From royal blood walking back in like nothing happened."

My mother's smile hadn't moved. Neither had her eyes. The bone-iron throne cradled her like she'd just sat down to wait.

"She's dead," I said.

"She wasn't when I locked this door." Carson moved closer, blade angled down but ready. "She begged me to let her out. Three days. Three days of her screaming your name."

The control ring on my wrist flared hot. The city screen blinked into view: WARNING: HOSTILE INTENT DETECTED. DEFENSIVE PROTOCOLS AVAILABLE.

I swiped it away. "You locked her in here?"

"I followed orders." His jaw tightened. "From the man who paid me to make sure no royal ever walked out of this city alive."

"Then why am I still breathing?"

"Because you're useful." He stopped three feet away. Close enough that I could see the white knuckles on his sword grip.