My Second Chance Mate is a Barbarian (Sera and Fenris) novel Chapter 201

Sera

I walked back into the room alone. The heavy oak door groaned on its hinges before the iron latch clicked, sealing the mess inside with me. Fenris had gone to handle the elders, leaving his scent behind—iron and that dark musk that usually settled my nerves. Right now, it didn't help. The air in here was thick. It carried the metallic sting of blood and the sharp, medicinal bite of the healer’s camphor. Feathers from the sliced mattress were still drifting through the air, settling on the floorboards and sticking to the red stains around the chair.

My mother sat there, propped up with pillows. Her face was pale under the layer of sweat, her blonde hair matted and messy. She didn't have her crown. She didn't have her dignity. She only had the bandage wrapped tight around her ribs.

I didn't go to her. I stood by the table, staring at the shredded silk of her crimson dress.

"We didn't do it," I said. My voice sounded flat in the quiet space. "We didn't cut him open."

Irina’s eyes narrowed. She took a shallow breath, her hand clutching her side. "Oh?" She sighed. “Why?”

"I don't trust your words," I replied, walking closer. "You said the reversal was lost. You cutting his heart open was the only way.” I paused, letting it sink.

“But I think you're a liar. I think you wanted us to kill a Southern Lord in cold blood so you could hold the murder over our heads. Or maybe you knew something else. Maybe killing the host ruins the charm. Either way, Torin is staying here. In Ironmaw."

Irina let out a raspy, weak laugh. It turned into a wince as she gripped the armrest. "You're keeping him? Sera, have you lost your mind? Aldric sent a delegate. He expects a delegate to return. He isn't stupid. He's going to ask questions when his top advisor vanishes into thin air."

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