Chapter 34. The One Who Watches

They didn’t touch her.

Not because they trusted her, but because no one wanted to be the one to burn.

The energy still clung to her skin. Not magic. Not wholly. But something older, rawer—like the crackle left in the air after lightning. Her steps left no marks on the stone, but the silence followed like an echo of violence.

Kaid walked ahead, fast, jaw tight.

The guards stayed behind, uncertain.

They entered a chamber she hadn’t seen before—smaller than the court hall, but darker, sunken into the foundation of the keep, lined with iron. Real iron, not ceremonial. A circle was carved into the center of the floor, its inlaid grooves blackened by soot.

She stopped short.

Kaid didn’t.

“Step in.”

“No.”

He turned. “You’ve already broken your binding.”

“It broke itself.”

“Aria.”

She stared at the circle. It was old. Worn from use. Not a ritual space. A trap.

Her voice was ice. “You want to contain me.”