Chapter 14 · They're already looking

"They're already looking."

"Bram wants you angry."

"Bram wants you locked in a cell."

"I can handle him."

Lucan leaned closer. His breath brushed my ear, warm and clean, carrying the faint metallic bite of the bond.

"You can handle a room full of liars with a broken glass?"

"So far."

"Nora."

The warning in his voice pressed against my skin.

I tightened my grip. "If you draw that blade, they see the mark."

For half a second, his face went still.

There it was. The secret neither of us had named in public.

The royal blood mark sat beneath the black leather wrapped around his wrist. A dark red symbol shaped like a split crown. The city had no idea the hidden heir to Veycross was standing three feet from its councilors.

If that mark showed, Lucan wouldn't be protecting me anymore.

He'd be announcing himself.

Bram watched our hands.

His mouth curved. "What a touching little alliance."

"Jealous?" I asked.

"Disgusted."

"You were less disgusted when you used my name to build your career."

"I built my career because you were incompetent.