Page 56 of Severed Heir

“Thank you, Kamila,” he said at last, voice strained. “That’s generous of you.”

“I’ll leave you two for a moment,” Kamila replied, eyes glinting. “My servants will prepare provisions in case you accept. A traditional Autumn meal will be served. Severyn… I’ve left a gown in the far closet. Your current attire—well, it’s in rags.” She offered a tight smile, took the girl’s hand, and swept from the cabin.

The door shut softly behind her.

Archer didn’t move. Didn’t speak. He just stared. And when he finally did, all hell broke loose. “Do you understand how worried I was, Severyn? Fuck. The bond went cold and I—”

I pulled my knees to my chest. “I didn’t plan on getting shot with a godsdamned arrow. Where am I even allowed to go freely?”

He crossed to me, hovering a hand near my elbow before helping me up. “I have ties in most Autumn realms. Monty Garcia nearly declared war over oil last year. My grandfather pissed off three Summer Serpents. If you kept walking, Severyn, you would’ve crossed into their land, and they would’ve killed you for being my heir.”

I’d never seen him like this. Angry. Flushed. All of it for me.

I brushed dirt from my shins, voice sharp. “The more I learn about you, the more I realize I never knew you. I suppose it’s a good thing this is all political now.”

“Severyn,” he hissed, lifting his hand like he meant to touch me.

I met his eyes. “You’ll need to learn to keep your hands to yourself if we’re going to convince them we haven’t slept together.”

His jaw clenched. “Please get up,” he said tightly. “An Autumn Serpent is expecting us.”

“I need to change,” I muttered, turning toward the closet. I made it two steps before the room spun, and my knees gave out.

Shadows caught me before I hit the floor. “Sit,” Archer said, voice low and steady. “I’ll help you.”

Too tired to argue, I sank onto the edge of the cot. He knelt in front of me, wiping the blood and dirt from my knees with a damp cloth.

Without a word, he crossed the room and pulled a pastel gown from the closet. The neckline dipped scandalously low, covered in too many ribbons and frills to count.

He held it up with a crooked smile. “An Autumn offering. You know, when a Serpent gifts a gown... it usually means something.”

I folded my arms. “You’ve given me two.”

Without another word, he stepped behind me, helping me into the dress. Silk and tulle slid over my skin like a second breath, molding to every curve as if it had been stitched for me alone.

Then came the laces. He drew them tight, slowly, agonizingly, his fingers brushing along my spine with maddening precision.

“You’re not making this easy, Severyn,” he murmured, his breath warm against the back of my neck.

I turned. “You’re the one who said we can’t exist.”

His hands hovered just beneath the hem of the gown. Close enough to feel, far enough to ache.

“And I meant it.”

Two could play this game.

I reached out, trailing my fingers along the hard lines of his chest, pausing just below his collarbone. “I’m flushed,” I said softly. “Must be the poison.”

He didn’t move.

I sank back onto the cot, lifting one knee with slow intent. His gaze dropped exactly where I wanted it. He stepped forward, bracing his hands on either side of me, locking my legs between his.

“I hate that look in your eyes.” His fingers drifted along my calf, then climbed higher.

“Careful,” I said, snapping my thighs shut. “You’ll have to try harder to pretend I’m just your heir.”

He exhaled sharply and adjusted his stance. “You look like chaos in that gown.”

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