The envelope arrived in the dead of night.
Black vellum.
Red wax seal, pressed with the Vortan crest:
Three wolves eating each other's tails.
Rayan opened it.
Kael read over his shoulder.
"To Kael Vortan and his current companion—"
Rayan rolled his eyes. "Companion. Classy."
Kael's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
Rayan continued reading.
"You are hereby invited to the Winter Summit Grounds for a final audience with the Highblood of the Vortan line. All weapons will be checked. All parties will leave unharmed."
He paused.
Then read the last line aloud.
"Only one of you will be permitted to leave with Kael Vortan's freedom."
The paper didn't burn when Rayan dropped it into the fireplace.
It curled.
Like it was laughing.
Kael paced the hallway for ten minutes.
Then stopped in front of Rayan.
"I'm not going."
"Yes, you are," Rayan said simply.
Kael's eyes narrowed. "You think I'll let them put you in a room with him?"
