Chapter 6 · Like what?

Varka's jaw tightened. "Like what?"

"Like you own it."

The words hit harder than Tess expected.

Varka's fingers flexed around her wrist. The seal flared beneath her glove.

The System window appeared between their faces.

[CONTRACT BINDING: 23%]

[ANCHOR CONTACT: ACCEPTED]

[EMOTIONAL RESISTANCE: HIGH]

Tess stared at the last line.

Varka saw it too.

"What does emotional resistance mean?" Varka asked.

Tess swallowed. "You tell me. You're the expert."

"I am not."

"You are the one with royal blood."

The officials gasped.

The robed man pointed at Tess. "Silence her!"

Varka moved before the guards did.

She caught Tess by the throat.

Not hard enough to choke. Hard enough to pin her against the nearest pillar.

The back of Tess's head struck stone. Varka's body pressed close, blocking every line of escape. Her thumb rested beneath Tess's jaw, right over the jump of her pulse.

Tess grabbed Varka's wrist.

"Take your hand off me."

"You just exposed my bloodline."

"I read a window!"

"You said it aloud."

"You asked me what it said."

"Not in front of them."

"Then maybe don't have a secret written in giant glowing letters!"

Varka leaned in.