Page 117 of Savage Crown

But it does.

I should have gotten here sooner.

I should have burned this entire castle to the ground before they ever laid a hand on her.

Nhilian sighs, swirling the wine in his cup. "You have nothing to say, Rylan?"

I drag my gaze from Seraphina to him.

I know what he wants.

He wants me to react.

To snap.

To break.

He will not get that. Breaking change nothing.

Even if I’m dying inside because of my whole life has been a lie, I can’t give him the satisfaction of witnessing it.

Not yet.

Not until I carve the smirk from his lips.

Instead, I keep my voice quiet. Controlled. Dangerous.

"You’re stalling," I murmur.

A slow, pleased chuckle. "Am I?"

"You wouldn’t have sent your dogs after me if you didn’t already know how this ends."

I move closer, unhurried, watching him like he’s the insect beneath my boot.

His guards tense.

He lifts a hand, a lazy wave. "Stand down."

They obey.

Fools.

Nhilian gestures to the seat opposite him.

"Sit," he says smoothly.

I don’t move.

His smirk deepens. "Oh, come now. We’re both civilized men, are we not?"

I let my lips curl at the edges.

"You're confusing civilization with cowardice."

The amusement flickers in his eyes.

Good.

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