Adrian ordered me to get on my knees, saying it was what a traitor deserved. The guards had chains that clinked when they moved them. My legs felt weak right away, like they remembered things I didnt want to think about. Stone floors, ropes biting in, knees that hurt for days. I hated how my body just knew that stuff.
But I stayed standing. Not out of bravery or anything. If I went down, I might not have the strength to stand back up. Cassian grabbed my wrist tighter, it hurt a bit, and pulled me a step behind him. The guards came closer anyway. The Chamberlain held up this scroll with the seal on it, like he was showing off some kind of trophy.
Effective immediately, he said again. Lady Seraphina Vale goes into custody, and the execution happens sooner. Adrian was staring at my face the whole time, waiting for me to crack I guess. His mouth curved into this soft smile that looked all wrong, fake. You could make this easier, he told me. Just cooperate.
Cooperate. My voice cracked when I said it back. You mean kneel down so you can smile while they kill me. Adrians eyes got sharp then. Cassian wasnt looking at me, he was talking to the Chamberlain. Show the seal closer, he said. Right now.
The Chamberlains face got tight. Youre questioning His Majestys. I question you, Cassian cut him off. Not the Emperor. That made the whole corridor feel colder somehow. Adrians smile twitched, like it was about to fall off.
The Chamberlain stepped up and held the scroll out, but not to Cassian, to one of the guards. See, its sealed right, he said loud. Cassian didnt take it. Bring my house mage, he said instead. Now. The Chamberlain laughed a little, scoffing. You think your mage is better than. Bring him, Cassian said flat. One of Cassians soldiers down the hall ran off, boots echoing.
Adrian narrowed his eyes. Cassian, he said low, like a warning. This isnt your fight. Cassian didnt even look. Then stop killing women and calling it law, he said. Some servants behind the pillars gasped sharp. Adrians real face showed then, smile gone.
Mind your tongue, Adrian said. Cassian gave him one look, just quick. It made my skin crawl a bit. Mind your orders, Cassian replied. Youre not Emperor yet. Adrians jaw moved tight. The guards looked uncomfortable, shifting around. Nobody likes truth said out loud I suppose.
Enough, the Chamberlain snapped. He raised his hand. Two guards came forward with chains up. I flinched, shoulders jerking without me meaning to. Adrian noticed, smiled like he got a point. Cassians sword slid out a tiny bit. That sound stopped everyone cold. Touch her and I cut, he said quiet.
The guard leader looked at the Chamberlain. You wont draw steel here in the Emperors palace, the Chamberlain said. This is my corridor, Cassian shot back. The Chamberlains eyes flashed. Imperial authority goes where it wants now.
I couldnt help it. Why bring chains like for a thief then, I said. He looked at me like dirt. Because youre accused of poisoning the Crown Prince, and now manipulating Duke Nocten to block us. Manipulating. I almost laughed, but it sounded bad. Hes the one holding me like this.
Cassians fingers squeezed, like dont say more. Adrian came closer, voice gentle for show. Seraphina, youre scared, confused. This mans dangerous, twisting you. I jerked my head up. You executed me.
Everyone went quiet, breaths stuck. I realized too late what slipped out. Adrians brows went up a little. Cassian froze. The Chamberlain stared like I was crazy. Adrian smiled slow, careful. Shes hysterical, he said calm. Delusions already. Chain her.
Guards moved. My heart pounded. Cassian stepped full in front. No, he said. Then youre refusing imperial order, the Chamberlain said tight. Im delaying till verified, Cassian replied. You dont delay execution, Adrian said sharper. Not after I was attacked. I wasnt even there, I spat.
Adrian ignored, looked at Cassian calm sick. Do your duty, put her on knees. My stomach twisted. He wanted it like before, me down there again. Cassians voice cold. Say it again. Adrian paused, eyes to the sword, then me. On your knees, softer, like tasting it.
Something hot came up, anger pure. I yanked at Cassians grip. He held. Let me speak, I hissed low. His eyes warned. I raised voice anyway. You want me kneeling cause you like watching. You. Enough, Chamberlain snapped. Gag her if you have to.
Gag. Cold hit my skin. Cassians hand anchored tighter. Try, he said. Footsteps came back. The mage arrived, old in black robes, box heavy. Bowed quick. Verify the seal, Cassian said. Now. Mage went to the scroll. Chamberlain pulled back. I dont allow.
Cassians sword twitched. Chamberlain shut up. Mage got crystal out, hands shaky, held to wax. Glowed faint. Frowned. Stomach dropped. Speak, Cassian calm. Layered, mage said slow. Reheated, pressed twice. Murmurs loud now. Chamberlain red. Nonsense.
Outer is imperial, but wax not palace, mage went on shaky. Private stuff. Shut up, Chamberlain barked. Finish, Cassian cut. Not inner palace issue. Adrians eyes sharp narrow. Chamberlain mouth open close. Seize the mage, he snapped.
Guards moved. Cassians sword full out, steel flash. Touch him I cut you down, flat deadly. So treason, Adrian soft. Cassian to Chamberlain. You brought forged thing to my place, thats crime. Who ordered you. Chamberlain eyes flicked to Adrian quick. I saw. Adrian saw me see, gaze warning.
It was him, I blurted. Seraphina spiraling, stop, Adrian smooth dangerous. Outrageous, Chamberlain snapped. Cassian to soldiers low. Close gates, no one out. Corridor changed fast. Nocten men blocked ends. Imperial tightened. All trapped.
Youll regret, Adrian cold to Cassian. Already regret letting you live, Cassian said. Heart slammed. Chamberlain chin up. By authority. Authority can be fake, Cassian cut. You cant stop execution with one mage. With witness, Cassian said.
Witness. Clar. I grabbed Cassian sleeve. Bring Clar now, I whispered. He nodded, like planned. Bring the palace maid we took, he ordered. Adrians eyes too sharp, stabbed look. Chamberlain murmured to guard leader. I didnt hear, but nod saw. Stomach ice. No.
Cassian noticed, snapped to leader. Move now, to soldiers. Everything at once. Boots, weapons, shouts. Duke detaining agents, treason, Adrian loud calm. You with forged seal, treason, Cassian back. Seize Seraphina. Dont touch, Cassian. Guard lunged.
Cassian fast, slammed into wall, kicked chain away. Metal clatter. I flinched, stayed up. Adrians eyes bright, loved chaos, could call monster. Blade up warning. Back. Guards hesitate. Draw blood here you die with her, Adrian. Then I pick order, Cassian.
Stomach drop. Didnt want him dying for me. Just live. Throat stuck. Footsteps thunder. Soldier breathless. Maid. Clar. Quarters empty, guards down stunned. Blood cold. Cassian to leader blank face. See no witness, proceed, Chamberlain barked.
Jaw tight, grabbed wrist hard. Move now, muttered, yanked back fast. Soldiers wedge. Imperial press. Shoves elbows slams. Cloak grabbed. Jerk panic. Cassian spun shoulder knock. Head down. Trying, I hissed high.
Seraphina stop, making guilty, Adrian echo. Chest tight. Wanted scream back guilty you. But grabbed if turn. Shoved side door, small cold narrow. Deeper estate. Breath ugly. Door ahead open, more soldiers block against behind.
Adrian closer echo. Break door. Wood splinter. Cursed low. Glanced me. If take you say nothing, no confess argue, demand Emperor. Kill before. Survive hours then. Easy like. Died once already. Throat tight. They took Clar. I know, eyes hard.
Another room, storage weapons crates. Door shut orders. Barricade, no blood unless. Soldiers drag heavy. Shaking, heartbeat wrists. Turned close. Ready say it. Say what, snapped scared. Thing not saying, why know details.
Throat close. Stared face cold focused. Died, whispered. Executed. Adrian ordered. You did. No shock denial. Stillness click. When. Winter court, three months now, first life. Cracked on first life. Insane sound. Felt it. True though.
Stared long. Thats why came to me. Laughed sharp ugly. Figured it. Didnt flinch tone. Looked door calculating. Dont play defense. What. Attack now, calm. Hands shake harder. Attack who, Crown Prince hallway. Grabbed face, force look. Eyes pin.
Attack story, before bury you. Swallowed. Crash door wood crack. Men breaking. Released wrist grab. Decision now. Chest burn. Freeze die. Follow might die moving. Follow you, but hesitate I bite too. Mouth moved, approval like.
Good. Door splinter light cracks voices. Open imperial. Turned soldiers. Move her vault passage. Vault what. No time ask. Two soldiers arms pull back wall panel shove. Hidden door. Breath catch. Planned of course.
Barricade gave door blow. Guards surge. Adrian behind calm eyes me. Chamberlain triumph twist. There, dont run worse Seraphina. Worse death. Guards lunge. Cassian path sword up. Steel flash. Stop short one push.
Blade slash fast not deep. Blood splatter scream back arm clutch. Erupted shouts weapons half. Drew blood arrest, shriek. Seize both, Adrian glitter. Both. Drop. Crush him too.
Yanked passage stumble look back. Cassian doorway alone blade raise block dozen like hate wall. Duke charged treason conspiracy Lady Seraphina, Adrian cut loud. Treason again. Chest seize.
Chamberlain another scroll unsealed ready. House Nocten search accomplices execute spot. Ice blood. Then behind line two guards drag girl forward. Brown hair small. Clar. Dragged arms sack. Head loll face gray. Neck rope mark.
Stomach drop pass out maybe. Thrown stone front Adrian Cassian me. Looked body then me. Oh Seraphina, silence witness. Mouth open no sound. Guard leader step hold small. My dagger boot decorative.
White edges vision. Found on maid, Lady blade, announced clear verdict. Chains snap open guards come.