Grab her. Now.
The Chamberlain pointed at me like I was already dead meat.
The guards moved fast.
Gold and red uniforms. Hands ready. Shackles dangling.
I choked up for a second.
I took a step back.
Nowhere to run. Adrian was behind me. Guards up front. Walls, doors, too many watching.
Cassian's hand went to his sword.
The metal made a soft sound.
The guards paused.
Not because they cared, but because they knew what Cassian could do.
The Chamberlain lifted his chin. Duke Nocten.
Cassian didn't answer.
Adrian smiled like he was enjoying the show.
Cassian, Adrian said, smooth, almost friendly, let's not make a scene.
I blurted, It's already a—
Cassian's elbow nudged me, a warning. *Shut it.*
I almost bit through my tongue.
The Chamberlain's voice cut through the tension. You're ordered to carry out the detention. Refusal is treason.
Treason.
That word again.
My sight blurred. I could almost smell the execution block.
Cassian finally spoke.
Fine, he said.
Just like that.
My stomach dropped.
*Fine.*
Was this really it?
Was he caving *again*?
I felt like a fool. Thinking his protection actually meant something. Walking into his place like I wasn't offering myself up.
The guard leader stepped forward, all eager.
Cassian's voice turned ice cold.
She's detained under House Nocten's watch, he said. Not chained up in front of everyone like a common thief.
The guard leader frowned. The order states—
Cassian cut him off. I'll escort her myself. You'll witness it. You'll report that I did it.
The Chamberlain's eyes narrowed.
Adrian's smile twitched.
He didn't like that one bit. He wanted me dragged, shamed, broken.
Adrian got closer, staring me down.
Seraphina, he said, like talking to a dog that bit him, if you cooperate now, I might still—
You can still what? I snapped. My voice shook, and I hated it. Kill me nicely?
A gasp went through the room.
Adrian's eyes got hard.
Cassian's hand closed around my wrist.
Not gentle, not cruel, but like he owned me.
Move, he told me.
I moved.
Because if I didn't, I'd fall apart, and they'd chain me just to drag me off.
The guards closed in around us anyway, forming a tight circle.
Cassian went first, pulling me along.
The Chamberlain followed. And, of course, Adrian was right behind.
He wasn't letting this go.
We walked down the hallway like it was some dumb parade I didn't want to be in.
Servants pressed themselves against the walls.
One lady-in-waiting looked at my hood and my bloody finger and covered her mouth.
Good. Look. Think about it. Tell everyone.
I needed attention. I needed people to see. Silence gets girls like me killed.
Adrian walked next to us all of a sudden, too close.
Did he threaten you? he asked, his voice low and sweet, meant only for me.
I didn't look at him.
I stared straight ahead, jaw tight.
Adrian kept talking, like he owned my silence too.
Cassian doesn't care about women, he whispered. Not like that. You're just something he can use. He'll use you and dump you. Come back to me, and I'll—
Cassian stopped dead.
I stumbled into his back.
He turned his head slightly toward Adrian.
Two more steps, Cassian said, calm as anything, and I'll break your teeth.
The hall went silent.
The guards looked like they didn't know where to look.
Adrian blinked.
Then he smiled, tight and fake.
You forget your place, Adrian said.
Cassian answered, I know my place. Right in front of her.
My throat got tight.
*Idiot body. Idiot chest. Don't react.*
*Don't.*
Adrian's smile slipped for a second.
Then he turned away like he didn't care, but his eyes stuck on me with that sharp, awful look.
We got to a side exit.
A black Nocten carriage waited.
Not the fancy royal one. Cassian's.
The Chamberlain stopped at the steps.
He looked at me like I was trash that learned to talk.
Duke Nocten, he said, she's not to leave the capital.
Cassian replied, We're still in it.
The Chamberlain's jaw tightened.
And she'll be questioned, he added. The right way.
Cassian's eyes didn't change. I'll bring her when you ask.
Adrian leaned on his cane like he had all the time in the world.
He looked right at me and said, soft enough for only me to hear, You won't last.
I wanted to jump him.
Cassian's hand tightened on my wrist again.
He shoved me into the carriage.
Not hard, but not gently either.
I landed on the seat, winded.
Cassian climbed in after me.
The door slammed shut.
The carriage started moving right away.
I didn't say anything at first.
Because if I did, I'd scream.
My hands shook in my lap. My cut finger was still bleeding.
Cassian sat across from me, still as a statue.
His eyes were forward, listening to the street, ignoring me.
Like I wasn't even there.
My chest burned.
You're detaining me, I finally said.
Cassian didn't answer right away.
Then he said, Yeah.
Short.
I swallowed. So you can hand me over later?
Cassian glanced at me, his face blank.
So you don't end up in a palace cell tonight, he said.
My throat tightened.
I hated that he was right.
I hated that I needed him to be right.
I leaned forward anyway, anger bubbling up because I had nowhere else to put my fear.
You'll kill me, I said.
It came out before I could stop it.
Cassian went still.
The carriage rolled on. Wheels rattling, people outside shouting about bread prices. Life, normal.
Cassian stared at me like I'd just pulled a knife on him.
What did you say? he asked.
My heart pounded.
*Idiot, idiot.*
I swallowed hard. My mouth was dry.
I said— My voice cracked. I said you'll kill me if they tell you to. Because you do what you're told.
That wasn't exactly what I meant, but it was safer.
Cassian didn't blink.
Yeah, he said. If the Emperor orders it.
My stomach churned.
So, you admit it? I whispered.
Cassian looked down at my bleeding finger.
Then back up at my face.
You came to me, he said. You asked for my protection. You made a blood promise. Don't act all shocked when things get messy.
I hated him.
I needed him.
I wanted to punch him and hold onto him at the same time, and that made me feel sick.
So, what now? I said, my voice rough. You lock me up in your basement?
Cassian answered, Yeah.
I jerked back like he slapped me.
He didn't care. Of course, he didn't.
He added, And you tell me everything you know.
I already did.
You told me feelings, he said. I want facts.
I laughed, sharp and ugly.
Facts, I repeated. Fact: Adrian wants me dead.
Cassian's eyes narrowed. That's a guess.
It's a fact, I snapped. He started early. He sent his dogs early. He—
Breathe, Cassian cut in.
I realized I was breathing too fast.
I took a breath through my nose. It shook.
Cassian watched me like he was waiting for me to pull myself together.
I hated him for that, too.
The carriage slowed.
Stopped.
The Nocten estate gates.
Black iron. Stone walls. Soldiers waiting.
The door opened.
Cold air hit my face.
Cassian got out first and pulled me after him.
His grip didn't let up, not even for a second.
I stepped down and felt eyes on me from everywhere.
Nocten soldiers. Servants. Guards. All watching the fiancée get dragged in like a prisoner.
So romantic.
I wanted to laugh again, but my throat hurt.
Cassian spoke to his men like I wasn't even there.
Full lockdown, he ordered. No visitors. No messages get out. Anyone who tries gets sent to the chain room.
The soldiers moved fast.
The gates clanged shut behind us.
The sound made my stomach jump.
Locked in for good.
Cassian marched me through the hallways.
Not to the study this time, lower!
The air got colder.
I smelled metal, oil, stone.
Not a guest room.
Not even close.
He stopped in front of a door with iron bars set into it.
A prison cell.
I gasped.
I stared at it like it was going to bite me.
Cassian looked at me.
Inside, he said.
My legs didn't move.
I didn't even realize I'd stopped until he pulled harder.
I said, inside, he repeated.
My voice came out small and scared. Are you going to chain me up, too?
Cassian's eyes didn't soften.
No, he said. Not unless you try to run.
I swallowed. My throat burned.
I won't run, I said.
Cassian stared at me for a long moment.
Then he opened the door.
I stepped inside.
The cell wasn't filthy.
That somehow made it worse.
Clean stone. A narrow bed. A small table. A wash basin.
Like a room someone might live in if they were being punished nicely.
Cassian shut the door behind me.
The lock clicked.
It felt like a punch to the chest.
I spun around, grabbing the bars. Cassian—
He didn't even react to me using his first name.
He leaned in close enough that I felt his breath on my knuckles through the bars.
You wanted protection, he said. This is what it looks like.
I stared at him, angry tears welling up, but I refused to cry.
This looks like a prison, I hissed.
Cassian answered, It *is* a prison.
Then he added, quieter, But it's mine, not his.
My hands trembled on the bars.
I hated that my chest tightened at that.
I hated that a part of me wanted to believe him.
Cassian turned to leave.
Wait, I blurted.
He stopped without turning around.
If the Emperor orders it, I said, my voice shaking, you'll execute me.
Cassian turned his head slightly.
Half-profile. Cold eyes.
Yeah, he said.
My stomach dropped again.
Then he added, So, make sure the Emperor doesn't.
He walked away.
Just like that.
I stood there gripping the bars until my fingers hurt.
Then I made myself move.
I checked the corners. Just a dumb habit, like I could find a way out of a cell.
No windows.
Just a small vent near the ceiling.
Great. If I scream, someone might hear me. If I die, no one outside will know.
I am sorry. In the next turn, I will be more careful.
My hands shook as I washed my cut finger.
It stung.
The water turned pink.
I pressed a cloth to it and stared at the blood like it was my fault for being alive.
I sat on the bed and tried to breathe.
One breath. Two.
My heart wouldn't slow down.
Time passed, or maybe it didn't. I didn't know.
Finally, I heard boots walking toward the cell.
A key turned.
The door opened.
Cassian stepped in.
He wasn't alone.
There were two soldiers with him, and one older guy in black robes carrying a box.
A house mage? A seal-checker? I didn't know.
I stood up fast.
Cassian didn't look at me. He looked at the guy in robes.
Confirm the seal, Cassian ordered.
The robed man bowed and came toward me like I was a table or chair.
Lady Seraphina, he said in a flat voice. Show me your hand.
I didn't move.
Cassian glanced at me, silently telling me to cooperate.
I held out my left hand.
The robed guy opened the box. It had tools, ink, and a thin crystal inside.
He pressed the crystal near my finger, where I'd bled earlier.
It glowed a bit.
He hummed like he was tasting it.
Blood seal is good, he said. House Nocten's mark is there.
Cassian nodded once.
At least that couldn't easily be faked.
The robed man packed up and left fast, like he didn't want anything to do with me.
Cassian stayed.
The soldiers stayed by the door.
Cassian finally looked at me.
You're going to tell me names, he said. The doctor, the maid, anyone who touched your food in the last month, any letters you sent, any meetings you went to alone.
My throat tightened.
I wanted to say I didn't know.
I wanted to say I was just a stupid girl who trusted the wrong guy.
But if I didn't give him something, he'd decide I was useless.
And useless girls are dead girls.
I need something too, I said.
Cassian's eyes narrowed. You don't get to make deals from a cell.
I do, I snapped, then made myself take a breath. Because you put me here. If you want facts, you give me one thing.
Cassian stared at me.
What? he said.
I swallowed. My voice was rough. Don't let Adrian be alone with me. Not once. Not ever.
Cassian's mouth moved a little, but it wasn't a smile.
Deal, he said.
My chest eased up a little.
I hated it.
Then one of the soldiers at the door spoke, sounding worried.
My lord.
Cassian didn't look away from me. What is it?
A messenger from the inner palace, the soldier said. Imperial seal.
My blood ran cold again.
Cassian's eyes finally shifted.
Bring it here, he said.
The soldier left and came back fast, holding a scroll case like it was dangerous.
He handed it to Cassian with both hands.
Cassian took it.
The red blob on it wasn't the wolf symbol.
It was the sun.
Imperial.
My throat closed up.
Cassian broke the blob without caring and unrolled the paper.
His eyes scanned it, just once.
His face didn't change.
That was the worst part.
He folded it back up slowly, like it was nothing.
Then he looked at me.
For the first time, his eyes weren't just cold.
They looked careful.
Like he was deciding what words to use with a knife.
What? I whispered.
Cassian stepped closer to the bars.
He held the paper up so I could see the bottom.
The Emperor's sign was pressed into whatever its made from.
Real.
My stomach dropped.
Cassian spoke softly.
Execution order, he said.
My sight went white around the edges.
No.
No no no—
He kept talking, his voice flat.
Lady Seraphina Vale is to be killed, Cassian said.
My knees buckled.
I grabbed the bars like that was all that was holding me up.
Cassian's eyes stayed locked on my face.
And, he added, calmly, I am told to do it.