Chapter 171

Zarek

The oath rings through the deep places of the world like a fault opening.

Not loud.

Not explosive.

Final.

I feel it settle into the stone beneath my feet, into the fire braided through my blood, into the ancient channels no dragon pretends not to hear. Kaelen didn’t invoke a crown. Clever of him. Crowns invite argument.

He invoked accountability.

That is worse.

I stand very still while the r