Chapter 63 · The Oath Won't Break

The blade tore through my palm before Calian could reach me.

"Lia! Let go!"

His hand closed around my wrist, hot and shaking. The oath mark burned under his skin, bright enough to paint his fingers red.

I clenched my teeth around the pain. "You said the blade chooses its holder."

"I said it might choose you. I never told you to grab it."

"You were busy leaving that part out."

The vault cracked beneath us. Stone split from wall to wall, and a black line raced under Calian's boots. The blade stayed lodged in the center of the room, silver-white and alive, its edge buried in my hand.

Behind us, Sevryn laughed through a cough.

"There it is," he said. "The first mark. The council has accepted her."

Calian turned so fast his coat snapped against my arm. "Shut your mouth."

"You don't get to order me around anymore, Guardian. Not in this room. Not with her blood on the oath stone."

"Calian," I said, tugging against his grip. "What does he mean?"

His jaw tightened.