While such thoughts still churned, light footsteps sounded outside the door.


    Vivian snapped back to the present, tension flickering across her face as she lifted her head toward the entrance.


    The wooden gate eased open with a soft creak, and Jared stepped in first.


    A gold robe framed his tall figure; features stern, aura restrained, yet the authority around him needed no announcement.


    A man and woman she had never met followed close behind him.


    "Jared?" Vivian shot to her feet, eyes rounding.


    Jared stopped before her and looked her over from head to toe, gaze gentle. "Your color is much better. Seems the Draconian pills were worth the effort."


    Vivian dipped her head, a faint flush climbing her cheeks. "Thank you, Jared. Without you I likely... wouldn''t be standing here."


    Jared brushed the thanks aside with a wave. "Save your strength for healing. Getting well matters most."


    After a pause her eyes slid to Luther and Grace. "Jared, these two are...?"


    Jared turned and gestured toward them. "Friends of mine-Luther and Grace.


    "We escaped Cloudhaven City together and nned to meet in the Wastnds, but trouble slowed them down. They only found this ce today."


    Vivian blinked, then offered them a small bow. "Thank you both for staying with Jared and foring all this way."


    Luther waved his hands, a broad grin spreading. "Miss Janis, formality isn''t needed. I serve Mr. Chance. Since you and he are Soulshare Consorts, by rights I should call you Mistress of the House."


    The remark sent blood rushing to Vivian''s cheeks.


    True, she had gained that bond through the martial contest, yet the purpose back then had been pure calction.


    Now, with the wordsid bare, she found herself at a loss for reply.


    The four of them sat; Hadrian had already arranged tea and pastries on the stone table.


    Once seated, a hush settled over the courtyard, the silence carrying a faint stiffness.


    Jared set down his cup and let his gaze rest on Vivian, reading the weight behind her hesitation.


    His voice came softly. "Miss Janis, whatever you wish to say, speak freely. If it lies within my reach, I''ll help."


    The offer made Vivian''s shoulders tremble, and moisture welled instantly along hershes.


    She drew a steadying breath, locked eyes with him, and forced the words out. "Jared, I... have something to tell you, and I... want to beg a favor."


    "Go ahead," Jared replied, tone even, eyes steady.


    Vivian inhaled again and fought to steady her voice, yet tears still traced down her cheeks.


    "That day, not long after you left the Chance estate, people from the Celestial Pce arrived."


    The name made Jared''s brows knit, a chill spilling from him and cooling the very air in the courtyard.


    Vivian missed the shift entirely. Lost in her grief, she went on, "It was Dominic-he was the one who betrayed us."


    He slipped out of your grasp and ran straight to the Celestial Pce. The moment he got there he told them everything you had done inside the Janis estate.


    He led Celestial Pce elders and soldiers back, ringed the entire Janispound,


    and demanded that my Father hand you over.


    My Father said you were gone and


    would never return, but they wouldn''t believe him. They forced their way into the manor, wanted to search every room, and even tried to seize me, saying they would drag me away for torture until revealed where you were.


    Her voice shook harder and the tears poured faster.


    My Father stepped forward to shield me and to defend the name. The six elders and more than a hundred guards followed him in, throwing themselves into a desperate fight.


    But the Celestial Pce fighters were overwhelmingly strong, and House Wagner helped them from the side. Our people simply could not match them.


    The six elders spent everyst drop of strength to cover my escape. Each one died


    on the spot, so battered that nothing was left to bury.


    And the Chance guards-hundreds of them-none of them flinched, none surrendered. Every single one fought to the end and fell.


    Jared stayed silent, saying nothing.


    The chill rolling off him seemed to turn solid, spreading through the courtyard and


    dropping the temperature by several degrees.


    Luther and Grace both shivered, a wary look flickering across their faces.


    They had never seen Jared this cold before.