Page 76 of Severed Heir

I turned away from that lake and never looked back.

Chapter Fourteen

A soft knock echoed at the door, tugging me from the haze I hadn’t realized I’d slipped into.

How I ended up in bed after passing out on the balcony was a mystery I couldn’t piece together. A quiet suspicion prickled—had Archer carried me? The thought was both intimate and strange.

Amria stepped inside. “Severyn, you have a guest. A guard has come to see you.”

I groaned and dragged myself upright. “I’ll be down in a moment.”

I descended the stairs slowly, fingers trailing along the cold iron banister for balance. In the foyer, Ellison stood waiting, guard hat in hand, posture rigid. Then he saw me. “Shit,” he breathed, gaze flicking over me. “You?”

I tilted my head. “Disappointed?”

He swallowed. “Not at all. Just… confused.” His sleeves were singed, ash dusting his jawline. He must’ve portaled through flame.

“It’s a long story,” I said. I didn’t have the energy to explain.

“I’ll say. You were a Serpent the whole time?”

“I know you came all this way, but this isn’t a date,” I muttered. “Just two people… existing.”

“I didn’t have a choice. Dungeons or this.” He glanced around the estate. “I’m slightly terrified to be here. Mostly of the Serpent who owns it.”

“We can leave, if you want. I assume you’ve been practicing your flame?”

“Not every day your lead guard yanks you from drills to run portal quells until you’re dreaming in flame.”

Charles. Of course.

Before I could answer, the library door opened and Archer stepped out, wearing a smug grin and walking like it was all for show.

“Ellison Sinclair,” he said. “Welcome to the shadows. I trust you’ll be escorting Severyn to her titling presession?”

Ellison blinked. “I had no clue that was… today.”

“You’ll take her tonight,” Archer said with a smile that didn’t touch his eyes. “But if you touch her, I’ll sever every nerve in your hand and leave your mind in shadow.”

Ellison coughed. “Noted.”

I crossed my arms. “A little notice would’ve been appreciated,” I said.

Archer didn’t miss a beat. “We all love a little surprise.” His smile was razor-thin as he turned back to Ellison. “Amria will collect Severyn in an hour. After that, we’ll review expectations. As for you, there’s a room waiting at the Serpent hostel. Just a two-mile walk. Through the dark. Past the beasts.”

“Perfect,” Ellison said brightly. “I do enjoy a brisk jog with a side of mortal peril before bed.”

“Wonderful,” Archer replied. “Take the scenic route near the silver river. If you hear singing, don’t follow it.”

I shot him a look.“You’re enjoying this.”

“Immensely.”

Ellison leaned closer. “Is he always like this, or is tonight a special edition of possessive and passive-aggressive?”

“I’m right here,” Archer said coolly.

“I noticed,” Ellison said without missing a beat.

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