"And the girl?"
The words slithered through the cell like a serpent.
Yara stiffened as every gaze shifted to her.
Beside her, Val tensed. She could feel it—the coil of his muscles, the way his golden eyes darkened like cooling molten metal, dangerous and unreadable.
The old woman's gaze raked over her, sharp and calculating. She tilted her head, intrigued.
"She's healthy," she murmured, more to herself than anyone else. Her scrutiny deepened, eyes narrowing as if searching for something unseen. "Strong bones, good frame. She would carry well."
Yara's stomach twisted.
The woman's fingers twitched, resisting the urge to reach out. She inhaled slowly, then smiled. "Ah... I see. She carries the dragon's mana."
Val went rigid.
The air around them grew heavier.
The woman studied them both with new interest. "She's bonded to him."
Yara's pulse thundered in her ears. Fear curled around her like a noose. This wasn't something they could afford to be known.
