The royal court had a smell—like roses and rotting pride.
Kael entered dressed in black silk. His new mark glowed red beneath his open shirt. Nobles gasped, murmured, gossiped.
"Is that the Unbound bastard?"
"Did he steal power?"
"Who gave him magic?"
Kael only smirked.
Seren walked three paces behind, her eyes scanning the room like a lioness among swans. Every man stared at her. Every woman glared at her. Everyone felt her.
She leaned toward Kael, whispering, "Be polite. Bow to no one."
"Even the Queen?"
"Especially the Queen."
Queen Saphira of Thorne sat on a throne carved from bone and moonstone. Her crown was a veil of living silver that writhed in rhythm with her breath.
"You were marked Unbound," she said. "Now you are… something else."
Kael bowed slightly. "I'm Bound now, Your Grace."
"By what power?"
Seren stepped forward. "Mine."
The room fell silent.
Saphira raised an eyebrow. "You performed an unsanctioned Binding?"
"I don't ask permission to fuck," Seren said.
Gasps. A few delighted chuckles. A terrified scribe fainted.
Kael didn't know whether to kiss her or run.
Saphira's lips curved into a dangerous smile. "You'll dine with me tonight. Both of you. I'd like to… examine this bond."
It wasn't a request.