Chapter 36 · Before the Vows

"Put the blade down, Kael." Varen's hand tightened around Seraph's hair. "Or your fortress burns with her."

Kael stood ten feet away, sword drawn, jaw locked hard enough to hurt. Three ward-spears aimed at his chest. Two more pressed against Seraph's back.

Seraph's knees dug into the execution platform. Iron cuffs bit her wrists. The black ring under her boots pulsed with every heartbeat.

She knew this room.

She knew the next twelve seconds.

She knew exactly how Kael would look when he killed her.

"You don't give me orders," Kael said.

Varen smiled. "I give them when you're too distracted to think. Look at the sigil beneath her."

Kael's eyes dropped to the floor.

The seal flashed red.

Beyond the stone walls, the fortress groaned. Towers shook. Somewhere below, soldiers screamed as the ward lines tightened around the city-sized stronghold.

Seraph pulled against the cuffs. "He's lying about one part."

Varen yanked her head back. His fingers dug into her scalp. "Careful, little bride."

"He isn't lying about the fortress." She stared at Kael. "He just forgot to mention that the seal needs my death to hold."

Kael's gaze snapped to Varen. "Explain."

"She is the anchor," Varen said.