Page 30 of Daggermouth

Silence descended as the implications sank in.

Maximus knew that was not the case, knew Greyson had taken it off of his own volition. He saw the mask in his son’s hand, saw as he dropped it to the floor as if he were offering himself up to this fate.

“You’re suggesting,” Moraine said, voice trembling with rage, “that Greyson should take the Vow with that Boundary filth?”

“I’m stating the legal options,” Elara replied, voice steadier now. “Greyson could be forced to take the Vow with the mercenary instead of facing execution, the law applies to him as elite. The Daggermouth would essentially receive clemency by default if he chooses the Vow.”

Moraine made a strangled sound behind her mask and Clay’s hand shot out to steady his daughter.

“This is outrageous!” Clay’s free hand balled into a fist at his side. “I will not let you push my daughter aside for some criminal!”

Maximus stopped abruptly, turning to face him. “Again you presume that your opinion matters to me.Again, you speak to me with such contempt.”

The silence that followed was absolute.

“Mr. Daunt,” Maximus continued, “I suggest you consider your position carefully. Your wife—is she not currently receiving the highest level of medical care the Heart can provide for her condition?”

Clay swallowed. “Yes, Mr. President, she is.”

“How long do you think she will last without that care? A week? A day?” Maximus did not wait for an answer. “How long do you think Moraine would last in the Boundary before you start selling her body for food?”

Moraine’s eyes went wide behind her mask as Clay took a half step in front of her. Maximus smiled, seeing the understanding flash in their irises.

“You see, Clay, there are worse fates than death for a man like you, and God is not the one that decides what that is. I do,” he said, the threat landing with precision.

“Of course, President Serel. We only wish to uphold the sanctity of the law.”

“As do I.” Maximus gestured toward the door. “You may go, and perhaps take a tour of the Boundary to help you decide where your loyalties lie.”

The Daunts left with as much dignity as they could muster, Moraine’s back stiff with indignation as they slipped through the door. When it closed behind them, Maximus waited three heartbeats, ensuringthey were truly gone, before he ripped the golden mask from his face and hurled it across the room.

It struck a glass display panel with devastating force, shattering it into a thousand glittering shards that rained down on the polished floor. Elara flinched, taking an instinctive step back toward the window as Lira’s fingers wrapped around her forearm.

“Of all the times for him to show weakness,” Maximus snarled, his bare face contorted with rage. “Of all the moments to break, he chooses now? With a Daggermouth’s gun at his head?”

Elara remained silent, knowing better than to speak without permission when her husband was in this state.

Maximus turned to his wife, his eyes boring into Elara’s masked face.

“This loophole, you are certain it will hold?”

Elara nodded. “I wrote it myself. It has never been challenged.”

“Father,” Lira began cautiously.

“Not now, Lira,” he snapped.

“But there is something to consider,” she pressed, her voice steadier than her mother’s had been. “Something Mother’s suggestion offers us outside of staying within the law.”

Maximus turned slowly, his eyes narrowing. “What?”

Elara moved closer, emboldened by her daughter’s courage. “If Greyson takes the Vow with the Daggermouth girl,” she said carefully, “it could benefit us. A political union between the Heart and the Boundary. It would send a message that even the most violent resistance can be brought to heel.”

He paused, considering. “Go on.”

“We find what she loves most and use it against her, use it to ensure her compliance. Make her a mouthpiece for the Heart, let the rebels see one of their own bound to the Serel family. Through her, wecould pacify the Daggermouths, perhaps even identify rebel strongholds throughout the rings.”

“It would be the ultimate display of power,” Lira added. “Showing that even their deadliest weapon can be tamed by the Heart.”