Chapter 54 · The Chancellor Ordered

"Say it," the Chancellor ordered. "Tell them she's your prisoner. Tell them she acted under your command."

Carson looked at me.

I shook my head once. Don't you dare save yourself with me.

His fingers closed around mine anyway.

Heat climbed my arm where his skin touched mine. His thumb pressed against the ring—the contract seal burned into both our names.

One lie. That was all it would take.

He could keep his badge. His rank. Maybe even his life.

All he had to do was throw me under the blade.

"Carson," I whispered, "if you call me guilty, I'll burn the contract myself."

His thumb stopped on the ring. "You can't burn a binding contract."

"Watch me."

His jaw tightened.

Then he turned to face the tribunal.

"Ivy Mercer isn't my prisoner."

The chamber went dead silent.

The Chancellor's mouth pulled tight. "Try again."

"She isn't my prisoner." Carson's voice carried from one end of the chamber to the other. "She's the woman I chose to protect.