Chapter 34 · The Heir's Mark

"Forty seconds," Carson said. "Miss the lock, and Noah dies."

"Then stop talking and open it."

I slammed his badge against the black stone door. Sparks snapped across the metal. The door didn't move.

Carson caught my wrist before I could try again. His fingers locked around me—hot, hard, his pulse beating against my skin.

"It won't take the badge," he said.

"You said it would."

"I said the badge would get us past the guards. I never said the Crown Archive would welcome us."

Behind us, the lower lockup alarm screamed. Red numbers flashed across the wall.

Thirty-five seconds.

My brother had thirty-five seconds before royal officers dragged him out and drove an execution seal through his chest. Carson had a royal arrest order waiting for him. I had a marriage contract burning beneath my skin—and no idea if it could save either of us.

Perfect. Just perfect.

I ripped my wrist free. "What does the door want?"

Carson's jaw tightened. "A valid contract."

"We have one."

"Not a complete one."

"You signed it in front of the tribunal.