Page 61 of Always A Villain

“You sure that’s smart?”

Before I can respond, Isaac’s voice booms down the hall.

“General Hawthorne!”

I turn, bracing for impact as he stalks toward me, his expression a mix of rage and control. His gaze sweeps over me, taking in the bloodstains, my ripped clothes, the exhaustion weighing me down.

Here we go.

“What the hell happened to you?”

“It's nothing,” I grunt, waving him off, but my tone says otherwise.

His eyes narrow, jaw tight. “We need to talk. Privately.”

“Fine.” I follow him into an empty room, ready for the bullshit.

He barely waits for the door to shut before whipping around. “I just got off the phone with Conrad.”

My fists curl, muscles coiled tight. “And?”

“He wants her punished. For breaking her vow.”

“Over my dead fucking body.”

I quickly close the gap between us. He flinches but forces himself to stand his ground.

“Axe—”

“Not. Gonna. Happen,” I snarl.

He exhales sharply, forcing himself to stay calm. “Listen, you’re an asset to the Sovereign, but she did break her vow. It can’t be ignored. She’s not your wife anymore.”

Those words scrape against every fucking nerve.

“She doesn’t have to be banished,” he adds, “but the punishment has to be severe.”

“No. Not a fucking chance.” I lock eyes with him. “I’m redeeming one of your Death Bonds. Right now.”

His expression shifts—surprise flickers, quickly masked by hesitation. He knows what that means.

“Consider Rory’s vows restored,” I growl.

“Axe—”

I cut him off. “The Bond will pay the debt. That’s the only way this goes down.”

He grits his teeth. “That’s not how it works.”

“You’re going to make an exception.”

The heat in my voice sears through the room. Bonds aren’t transferable, but rules don’t mean shit when it comes to Rory.

Isaac straightens, clinging to authority. “I could have you banished. Stripped of rank. Exiled.”

“Then fucking do it.” I step closer, daring him to try. “Banish me. But understand this—you’ll have to kill me first.”

“The Council won’t allow it,” he grits out, trying to hold on to control.