Cassian’s hand struck the floor hard enough to split stone. Black fur spread along his arms as his Lycan fought the command twisting through the silver spear wound. Evelyn felt the battle through their bond: Lucian’s poison dragging him toward obedience, Cassian’s will answering with rage, and his deepest fear that he would hurt her before he lost himself. “Run,” he forced out. Lucian laughed. “The ruthless king begging a woman to flee? History will enjoy that.” He tightened the knife against Seraphina. A bead of blood appeared above the curve of her belly.
Evelyn did not run. She knelt in front of Cassian and placed both hands around his face. His red eyes locked on hers. “You told me recognition was not ownership,” she whispered. “Remember your own law.” She opened the bond instead of resisting it, letting him feel her trust without command. Memories passed between them: Cassian giving her a clear path to the inn door, waiting at room seven, standing behind her at council. The red in his eyes flickered. Lucian snarled and pushed more Alpha force into the enthralled soldiers. “Kill the witness.”
They rushed forward. Mira dragged Seraphina aside as Evelyn released a ring of silver flame. It struck every poisoned wolf at the chest and illuminated black threads leading back to Lucian. She could burn the threads, but doing so would stop the hearts attached to them. Healing required another path. Noah appeared on the upper stair with the council elders and shouted