The silence felt like a death threat to Hazel.

Ella stood there, scroll in hand, radiating quiet triumph. She’d played this perfectly. Public. Legal. Irreversible.

If Alaric marked Hazel now, he’d be admitting the bond existed before the council approved it. That was grounds for a vote of no confidence.

If he didn’t,Hazel would be exiled before sunset.

Hazel swallowed hard. Her throat was dry, her palms slick.

Claimed or exiled.

Two words. One cage.

She wouldn’t beg. She wouldn’t run.

But gods, she wanted to look away.

Alaric descended another step. The temperature in the courtyard seemed to drop ten degrees. His scent rolled over her like a wave,...