Chapter 94

Every head turned to look at Nightspire. Fin tensed next to Serena, eyes locking on him like a predator.

Dexmon’s brows furrowed and his eyes surged molten gold for a split second.

Nightspire didn’t seem to notice or care.

“Of course,” Serena answered softly. She was curious why he wanted to pull her now.

King Tiberon lifted a hand. She froze.

“On what grounds?” he asked evenly.

Nightspire’s gaze slid to him, sharp enough to cut. “I need a word with my niece p>

His words landed hard.

Then Nightspire smiled, easy and disarming, like he hadn’t just dropped a political grenade into the room.

“I’ll bring her back in one piece. Promise p>

That did not help.

Tiberon’s eyes flicked to Serena, narrowing.

Niece would have been useful information earlier.

Serena swallowed. Her face said exactly what she was thinking.

Oh. Right. That.

Hale’s voice slid into their mindlink.

Hale:

Fin locked onto Nightspire with the kind of focus that most men reserved for targets, not conversations.

Nightspire tilted his head at Fin, studying him like a new piece on a board he was already winning. “There it is p>

Before anyone could process that interaction, Garrett Darkhowler stepped into the tent.

“Serena,” he announced. “A word p>

Before Tiberon or Dexmon could react, Nightspire cut in. “Ah. Nephew p>

Garrett grimaced. “We’ve discussed this p>

Nightspire clapped him on the back hard enough to jostle him forward. “Fine. Darkhowler. You’re going to have to wait. I had her first p>

Garrett shot him a look and didn’t bother hiding his irritation. “Why do you need to speak with her p>

“Aye, something that does not concern you. Outside of the fact you’re harboring p>

Garrett cut him off. “You don’t get to call dibs on people p>

Nightspire chuckled. “Watch me p>

While this interaction was going on, Tiberon pinched the bridge of his nose. “Nephew” implied that Serena was related to Darkhowler as well.

She swallowed again.

It wasn’t on purpose. A lot had happened between dragons, concussions, and waking up on top of Shadowclaw. Her mental filing system was completely shot.

Gav read the situation and mindlinked.

Gav: Garrett grew up with her and Elara. No blood relation.

There was a pause.

An awkward one.

Because Garrett was very much on Gav’s mindlink. Wearing a very visible golden cuff. Actively listening. His lips twitched, failing to hide his amusement.

Hale slowly turned his head.

Gav frowned. “What p>

“You’re concussed,” Hale stated out loud.

King Tiberon gave Serena a short nod. She turned to leave and startled. Fin had moved to her other side, between her and Nightspire, and she had no idea when that had happened.

His attention wasn’t on her. It was fixed on Nightspire, who returned the stare with the relaxed posture of a man who enjoyed being hated.

How she had missed that standoff happening two feet from her face was a mystery, but in her defense, it had been a long day.

Gav: Your reaction to that was so delayed I’m embarrassed from across the room.

Hale: What the hell is wrong with you.

Gav: Go play concussion chess with your loving Uncle. Chop-chop.

Serena moved towards the exit, very aware that the room was watching her like she might explode.

She knew she should’ve felt uneasy with Nightspire, but she didn’t. If he wanted her dead, he would have done it by now, right?

“Follow me,” he called over the rain, as soon as they were out of the tent. “You look like hell p>

“I feel wonderful,” Serena replied, grinning.

He started to laugh as they walked.

They made their way into his tent.

He poured a glass of scotch for him and her. She took it to be polite and pretended to take a sip. She felt like hell, and the idea of scotch made her want to gag at the moment.

Nightspire took a slow sip. “Your mother lived in Nightspire for a number of years p>

“You look just like her. I thought you were her when you walked into the tent at the first council meeting,” he added. His grey eyes softened, but something flickered beneath the surface. A wolf wearing the skin of a grieving man.

Serena gave a sad smile. “Thank you. I take that as the highest compliment p>

“It was meant as one.” He swirled his glass, watching the amber liquid catch the firelight.

Then, without shifting his tone he added,”Why did you not try to find me after Frostborne was attacked p>

Serena took a real sip of her scotch, now deciding she wanted it. She would need it.

Maybe it was the concussion? Maybe she had lost her mind? She decided with the truth.

“The truth is Serena exhaled. “We tried. We were captured by rogues, escaped, and captured again. We tried to get to you for almost two years p>

She took another sip of her scotch. “Then we were sold to Viremont p>

The color drained from Nightspire’s face. Serena continued.

“I tried and failed to escape twice, and was in silver for a year as punishment. My third attempt was recent, and Elara came with me. If captured again, my punishment is death p>

“You’re handing me leverage, niece. Viremont would pay handsomely to know where his escaped property fled.” He raised a brow. “Why would you assume I wouldn’t collect p>

“My mother trusted you.” Serena smiled softly. “I’d like to do the same p>

It was partially true. Give trust to get it. But she wanted to stay on his good side.

“Alright, I’ll be frank. When Viremont cut your neck, you bled. The tent saw. I’m sure you’ve concluded that,” Nighspire said. “I watched that gold light flicker through the storm. So did others. What was that p>

She had a feeling this was a test.

“I think you already know the answer to that,” Serena replied.

“That I do,” Nightspire answered. “You were chained in silver for a year. Have you shifted p>

“No,” she answered, adrenaline spiking.

“When you shift, don’t do it in front of anyone you wouldn’t trust with your blood.” He let that sink in. “The list should be short p>

He leaned back in his chair, studying her like a puzzle.

“Has my blood been brought up?” She kept her tone neutral.

“I’m afraid by calling you my niece, it wouldn’t be brought up directly to me. But the fact I haven’t heard anything from my sources speaks for itself.” His lips curved, but his eyes remained flat. “Silence is never accidental. Not among kings p>