"This ends badly for everyone if you keep going," Hyran said evenly, voice carrying authority without volume. "You are inside a High Council tent. You are threatening the Dragon Prince's bonded. You do not want what follows."
Viremont's mouth twitched.
"Spare me your lecture, mage."
The silver around Serena's wrists and throat cinched tighter.
She stifled a gasp, pain flaring white hot as the metal bit into her skin, stripping the air from her lungs. Her knees buckled, only Viremont's grip keeping her upright.
Viremont leaned closer, his breath brushing Serena's hair. He inhaled slowly in a way that made her skin crawl.
Fin surged again, snarling, but was held back.
"So this is Frostborne," Viremont said softly. "I wonder if King Tiberon would still look at you the same way if you were stripped of all that polish."
"Reginald," Hyran warned. "You are crossing a line that cannot be walked back."
