Page 138 of Feralheart

The imp’s face remained blank. They flapped their wings faster and waited.

I plucked the scroll from their grasp, and the imp flew across the cavern.

The paper felt too heavy. Quality stock, sealed with wax that bore the royal seal. It screamed formality, which meant this wasn’t a mother writing a sweet letter to her son. This was the queen addressing a problem.

My gut clenched as I broke the seal and unfurled the scroll.

The message opened with a standard formal address: To Crown Prince Fenian Balmaris Lancifer. Not “my son” or even “Fenian.” The title made it clear what type of conversation we were having.

Your presence is requested. There are matters of state that require immediate attention, as well as explanations regarding your conduct during today’s proceedings.

Did she expect me to leave the Scorching to attend her?

The council has noted your departure from established protocol. Lord Holmen in particular has expressed concerns about your ability to rule.

Hardly surprising. After all, her younger sister had three sons—his sons—all of whom would make exceptional heirs. They did as they were told and never asked questions.

When you return, your household will be reviewed.

She’d dismissed Meckard. Who next? My old nanny who still resided within the castle? I should’ve insisted she take the estate I tried to gift her, and if I made it through this, I’d make sure she did. If she’d agreed, she’d be living there peacefully now, beyond my mother’s grasp.

The healers will also examine your dragon. If he’s found unfit, he will be retired, and you will be bonded with a new mount.

Fucking no. She wasn’t touching Aristus.

I’m appointing Lady Severine as co-leader of your team.

Ah. Elevating the woman she was demanding I’d marry? My mother could set her at the head of this team, but I still would not say yes.

The signature at the bottom read simply: Queen Valindra.

Not “Mother.” Not even “V.”

I stared at the letter until the words blurred. My chest felt scooped out, hollow in a way that made breathing a challenge.

Heat gathered in my palm, flying up to the tip of my index finger, creating a blue flame. I held it to the paper’s edges and let it consume the formal language and royal expectations in seconds. Ash drifted down to the black sand.

My small act of defiance felt huge.

Aristus rumbled, approval bleeding through the bond. And underneath it, I felt something that wasn’t quite anger but close. The feeling I got when I looked at the pressure points worn into his scales and realized what I’d done to him.

He was glad I’d burned it, but he hadn’t forgiven me yet.

Across the camp, Terrant watched the ashes fall. I held his gaze until the last of her words stopped glowing.

Let the morning report be thorough.

Eradin no longer rested. She stood inside the commons area, maybe thirty feet away. Far enough for discretion. Close enough that she’d seen everything.

She’d watched me burn a letter.

She held my gaze long enough that my pulse jumped, and every careful defense I’d spent the day constructing threatened to crack open again.

Then she strode over to stand in front of me, her gaze traveling from the ashes to my face.

“It was from your mother, wasn’t it?” she asked softly.

“Yes.”