Chapter 10
The Boy the Crown Remembers
Venn summoned Tavin to a public blood hearing and claimed the boy's memories proved Elara had used forbidden magic in exile.
Tavin refused counsel. He placed his seventh-birthday thread on the evidence table and asked the examiner why its palace inventory number predated Elara's return by nine years.
The hearing turned.
Venn answered by invoking a dormant statute: any royal child contaminated by an oathstone must be confined in the crown vault.
Rowan blocked the escort. His former deputy arrested him for treason.
As Rowan was taken away, Tavin leaned toward Elara. "Let them put me in the vault. Senna needs the inner door opened."
Elara understood the plan. She also understood the crown wanted him there.