The lock made that click sound from the other side. It felt almost like some kind of bad joke, you know.
Cassian stayed right where he was. He did not even seem bothered or anything.
He just took one step to block me completely from view.
Behind me, he said, in that calm way.
My feet moved on their own. I really hate when they do that.
Then the door flew open with a slam.
There were these blue cloaks and steel boots, all with the royal crest shining.
Palace knights came rushing into the study, acting like the place belonged to them.
I counted six, I think.
The one leading them, he did not glance at Cassian at first.
His eyes went straight to me.
And he smiled, which made everything worse.
There, he said. Lady Seraphina Vale.
My stomach twisted up so bad I had to swallow down this sour taste.
Cassians voice came in then, flat and hard like stone.
This is Nocten property, he told them. Announce yourself properly.
The captain, he turned his head real slow, like Cassian was just some annoying dog barking.
Captain Ravel, he introduced himself. Royal Knights, Third Division. By authority of His Highness.
He waved this parchment with a big seal on it.
Cassian did not bother to take it from him.
Read it, Cassian said.
Ravels smile got tighter, and he broke the seal, reading it out loud on purpose, like he wanted everyone to hear.
Lady Seraphina Vale is charged with attempted assassination of His Highness Crown Prince Adrian Valen by poison this morning. She is to be arrested right away and taken to the palace for questioning.
This morning. That hit me hard. This morning.
My fingers felt ice cold under my cloak.
I had not even done anything like that.
Ravel folded the paper up, like he was already finished with the whole thing.
Hand her over, he said to Cassian.
Cassian blinked just once.
No, he replied.
The room seemed to freeze up after that.
One of the knights moved his spear a bit, like he was itching to go first.
Ravel let out this chuckle. Duke Nocten, he said. You are in the way of royal justice.
Cassian kept his voice even. You are trespassing here.
Ravels eyes got narrow. Her crimes mean she overrides your walls.
My walls decide who comes in, Cassian said. And who goes out.
Ravel looked over Cassians shoulder at me once more.
It was like he could taste how scared I was.
Come quietly, my lady, he said. His Highness is merciful. Cooperate and this stays civilized.
Civilized. That word stuck in my head wrong.
I kept seeing stone walls, ropes, blood everywhere.
Before I knew it, I stepped forward.
I did not poison him, I said, trying to make my voice loud. It shook though. I was not even at the palace.
Ravels smile just got bigger.
Of course you would say that, he replied.
I can prove it, I started.
You can cry and lie, he cut me off. The physician confirmed the poison.
My throat closed up tight.
The physician. That made my skin crawl.
From last life, I remembered that calm face of his, the tonic that smelled too sweet. Adrian telling me to stop being difficult.
I blurted it out without thinking. The physician is lying.
A knight behind Ravel made this sharp noise, like he was offended or something.
Ravels eyes lit up though.
Careful, he said, soft like a warning. Accusing a royal physician is no small thing.
Then Cassians sword slid out just a little from its sheath.
The sound alone made my whole body jump.
I hate that part too. My body remembers him better than I do sometimes.
Ravel saw it happen.
He smiled even wider. Ah, he said. So now you are afraid of steel.
Cassians voice turned colder. Get out.
Ravel acted like he was laughing, but his eyes kept going to that blade.
And if we do not, he asked.
Cassian said it like it was nothing. Then you leave in pieces.
The knights all tensed up. Not wanting to fight, but because they knew he meant it.
Ravels smile looked forced now. He tried to pull it back together, lips curling.
You are shielding her, he said. Why. Is she your lover or something.
My face got hot just hearing that.
I stepped forward, mad now.
But Cassians arm moved quick, blocking me without even looking. Like he expected it.
Ravel went on, enjoying his own meanness.
Or did she come to you because she knows you kill for a price, he said, voice getting louder. Is that how House Nocten stays afloat, hiding criminals.
Cassian stayed quiet.
Ravel leaned closer, bold with his men there.
By royal authority, he started. I am taking Lady Seraphina Vale.
He reached right past Cassian.
Cassian moved fast.
His gloved hand caught Ravels wrist in the air.
Ravel jerked back, surprised.
Cassian held on without squeezing yet.
You will not touch her, Cassian said.
Ravels smile twisted ugly. Her, he repeated. So you admit she means something to you.
Cassians grip got tighter.
Ravel made this small gasp.
Leave, Cassian said, still quiet.
Ravel tried pulling away.
Cassian twisted instead.
Ravel went down to one knee, face all twisted, wrist bent bad.
A knight rushed in.
Cassians sword came up smooth and fast.
The tip stopped right at Ravels throat, an inch away.
Everything went still. Clean. Like it was no big deal.
The room locked up tight.
No one even breathed.
Ravel swallowed, his throat moving too close to the blade.
Back, Cassian said, like he was telling a servant what to do.
The knights paused.
Then they stepped back.
Not out of respect. Just not wanting to die.
Ravels face turned red, eyes wet with anger he tried hiding.
You will regret this, he hissed.
Cassian did not blink. Maybe, he said.
Ravels smile tried coming back but could not. He lifted his chin.
If you want to claim her, he said louder, prove it. Right now. With witnesses.
My blood ran cold.
Prove it. Yeah.
If Cassian did not, they would drag me away. If he did, then I would be tied to him.
My throat burned thinking about it.
Cassians gaze flicked to me.
It was not warm or anything. More like he was figuring out how much trouble I could handle.
Fine, I thought. Mess beats death any day.
I stepped closer to him, hands shaking under the cloak.
I grabbed his sleeve.
The fabric felt stiff, solid under my fingers.
Ravels eyes went wide, like he was thrilled.
I made my voice come out loud, filling the room.
I came here, I said. To form a contract engagement with Duke Nocten.
Silence hit after that.
One knights jaw dropped, I swear.
Ravel stared like I was crazy.
Engagement, he repeated, laughing once. To the Emperors blade.
Cassians voice came low, right by my ear, just for me.
You know what this means, he said.
I understand I am not dying, I whispered back. Not again.
Cassian froze, just a bit.
Then he turned to Ravel.
Correct, he said. Lady Seraphina is under my protection.
Ravels face hardened quick. She is promised to His Highness.
Not officially, Cassian replied.
Ravels eyes narrowed more. This is just a trick.
Cassian tilted his head a little. Do you have an imperial warrant.
Ravels mouth opened.
But nothing came out.
Cassian did not give him time.
Then you do not arrest anyone here, he said. Go back to the palace and report it. I will bring her to the Emperor if needed.
Ravels lip curled up. Dodging the Crown Prince.
Call it what you want, Cassian said. Leave.
Ravels nostrils flared out.
He glanced at his men, then at me.
Then that smile came back, smaller and meaner.
If she is really your fiancée, he said. Seal it now.
My stomach knotted up.
Cassian did not wait though.
He went to his desk, pulled out parchment and pen, like he had planned this forever.
He wrote quick. No fancy stuff.
Just the words.
Then he pushed it my way.
Sign, he said.
I looked down at it.
My eyes skimmed over.
It was not romantic at all. Cold and simple.
Contract engagement. House Nocten protection. Lady Seraphina obeys Nocten security directives. Duration to be determined. Public status, fiancée.
Obey. That word made my chest tight.
Ravel watched close, like a bird waiting for scraps.
I took the pen.
My hand shook bad.
But I signed it anyway.
My name looked sharp, angry on the paper.
Cassian signed next, then pressed his signet ring into the wax while it was hot.
The wolf crest showed up clear.
Ravels smile slipped.
He was not finished yet.
Blood, he said, eyes shining. Noble law needs blood for contracts like that.
My throat went tight again.
Blood. Of course he would push for that.
I reached for my boot dagger.
A knight yelled out, Weapon.
Cassians hand grabbed my wrist, stopping me halfway.
His eyes locked on mine.
A drop, he said quiet. Do not be stupid.
I glared at him. I am not the one who brought swords here.
He let go.
I pricked my finger quick.
It stung sharp, a red bead coming up.
My stomach turned, like my body recalled too much blood from before.
I pressed the drop under my signature.
Cassian put his thumb next to it, then stamped the wax over both.
Done, just like that.
Ravel stared at the seal.
His men shifted around, looking uneasy. This was not just some scared girl now.
This turned into a real tangle.
Cassian folded the contract and put it in his coat.
Now, he said to Ravel. You leave.
Ravels smile got ugly again.
This gets reported, he said loud, like the whole house needed to hear. Lady Seraphina Vale suspected of attempted assassination. Duke Nocten blocking royal authority.
Cassian showed nothing.
Ravel turned sharp.
Withdraw, he ordered.
The knights backed out slow, eyes on Cassians sword until the door closed.
Silence pressed in heavy.
My knees buckled a little.
I grabbed a chair back to stay up.
My finger throbbed from the cut.
My body felt hot and cold all mixed up.
Cassian looked at me like I was some document he might toss or save.
You pulled my house into your mess, he said.
I know, I rasped out.
He stepped closer.
His voice went lower.
If you lied about this, I kill you before the palace can.
My stomach clenched tight.
Fine, I nodded. Whatever.
His eyes narrowed. You agree too quick.
I laughed, but it sounded wrong, broken.
I already died once, I snapped, then stopped cold. I said it out loud.
Cassian did not move.
But something shifted in his look, just a touch.
Died, he repeated.
My mouth dried up.
I looked away fast.
Not here, I said. Not now.
Cassian stared long.
Then he turned like he would save that question for later.
Pack nothing, he said.
My head jerked up. What.
You do not go home, he told me. Not today.
My mother will.
She lives, he cut in. You might not.
He opened the study door, spoke to the soldiers outside.
Carriage, he ordered. Now.
Boots ran off.
Cassian came back, took my elbow.
It felt possessive, quick.
I wanted to pull away.
But my legs followed.
We went through the corridors fast. Servants hugged the walls. Soldiers eyed my bloody finger like it meant something big.
In the courtyard, the black carriage sat waiting.
Cassian pushed me in.
I stumbled but caught myself, turned back.
He climbed in after, shut the door.
The carriage started moving right away.
I stared at my hands.
One shook.
The other had dried blood under the nail.
My engagement to this man I hated was legal now, and I could not even process how sick it made me.
Cassian sat across, too still.
You mentioned information, he said. About a plot.
My throat tightened again.
I was framed, I told him.
By who.
I do not know it all, I said quick. But it is from the palace side. Tied to the royal physician. And.
And, Cassian said, sharper.
I swallowed hard.
My tongue felt heavy.
Adrian is involved, I said, voice cracking on the name.
Cassians gaze got colder.
Careful, he warned.
I am done with careful, I snapped. Careful got me killed.
I stopped too late.
Cassian leaned forward a bit.
Killed, he repeated.
My heart pounded hard.
The carriage jolted then.
Slowed down.
Stopped.
Cassians hand went to his sword.
Boots outside.
A voice, hard.
Open the carriage.
Cassian stayed put.
The door got yanked open.
Gold and red uniforms.
Imperial guards.
My blood turned to ice.
The leader looked at Cassian first, then me like I was cargo.
Duke Nocten, he said official and loud. By imperial order, present yourself and Lady Seraphina Vale at the palace now.
My breath stuck.
Then he added casual.
Lady Seraphina Vale in chains. For His Highness safety.
Cassians fingers gripped the sword hilt tighter.
The guard looked cold at Cassian.
Resist and you get arrested as accomplice.