Chapter 37 · The Last Vessel

"Kneel, Evelyn Hart, or the council will read your sentence over your dead body."

The breach cuffs snapped shut around my wrists.

Pain punched through my bones. I bit down until I tasted blood and stared at Councilor Venn across the black stone chamber.

"You want me on my knees?" I said. "Try asking nicely."

A guard shoved my shoulder.

Kane moved before I hit the floor.

One hand caught the back of my coat. His other arm locked around my waist and hauled me against the hard line of his chest. The cuffs dragged between us, sizzling blue against my skin.

"Touch her again," Kane said, "and I'll remove the hand."

The guard froze.

Venn leaned over the council rail. "Warden, you were ordered to remain neutral. Your wife is accused of releasing a false disaster echo inside the city. Three citizens are dead. The breach is unstable."

"She's not my wife," I snapped.

Kane's grip tightened around my waist.

"Not helping," he muttered near my ear.

His breath brushed my neck. Warm. Too close. My pulse kicked hard enough to make the cuffs flare.

"Then stop holding me like one," I whispered.

"Stop trying to fall over.