Chapter 31 · The Royal Arrest Warrant

"Step away from her, Commander."

The warrant slammed into Carson's chest before Deputy Vale finished speaking.

It wasn't paper. A metal seal stamped with the royal crown struck his burned coat and clanged across the floor.

Every guard in the tower turned toward us.

I stood behind Carson with one hand pressed to the royal mark beneath my shirt. Heat crawled from my chest to my throat. Every breath tasted like hot iron.

Carson bent and picked up the seal.

"Read it again," he said.

Vale raised his voice. "Ivy Mercer is charged with treason, sabotage of the western shield, conspiracy with rebels, and unauthorized access to royal defense systems. Carson Rook is charged with obstruction, unlawful concealment of a state traitor, and—"

"My wife."

Carson cut him off so sharply the tower went silent.

He turned just enough for me to see his face. Blood ran from the cut at his temple. His right hand still shook from catching the overloaded core barehanded, but his voice stayed cold.

"Use the correct title," he told Vale.