Dawn Walker Chapter 271: The Quiet Vow VII

Sekht stood in silence for a few monts after the room quieted again.

"If you intend to answer tonight, answer now. If you intend to delay, tell now."

"Yes."

Lily glanced at him, but said nothing yet.

Sekht turned slightly toward Elena. "Tell Kess he will have my decision tomorrow night."

"Yes."

"No," Sekht said. "That is exact."

"Oh," Seraphiel said softly. "How arrogant."

She looked almost luminous in her satisfaction now, as if old mories had put fresh wine into her veins.

Sekht let that sit where it was.

Lily looked at him more openly now.

Elena folded her arms. "And the waiting serves what purpose beyond irritation."

That line changed the room.

Because she did not.

Sekht continued. "He ca to Iron House first. He used Stephen’s courtesy to touch us second. He wants us to feel the order of things before he even enters the room." His gaze sharpened. "So I will answer in the sa language."

"Yes," she said quietly. "That part is very much your father."

"Mihos is not only proud," she said.

Now the room gave her its full attention.

Lily’s gaze shifted from Sekht to Seraphiel.

"That sounds charming," Lily muttered.

Then she looked directly at Sekht.

Sekht listened without interrupting.

"Do not take him lightly," she said. "Yes, he is arrogant. Yes, he is proud. Yes, he likely thinks more of his own reflection than the gods do. But that does not make him stupid."

"Two years older than Sekht," Seraphiel said. "Which ans they are still considered the sa generation inside the house."

Sekht knew it imdiately. In old families, generations were not only blood and years. They were power brackets. Rival structures. Inherited comparisons waiting to happen. If Mihos and he belonged to the sa generational ladder, then this would never remain a matter of re branch inspection. Not truly.

Seraphiel went on.

Sekht’s expression did not change much. Just enough for Elena to know he was taking every word seriously.

Seraphiel’s mouth curved faintly. "No. That makes him dangerous in a very recognizable pattern."

Sekht noticed. He did not soften for it.

Elena broke in before the room could deepen too far into strategy.

All three of them looked at her.

Sekht turned his head slightly toward her.

"I know what you chose," she said. "So let him wait properly. I will handle the rest."

Not because Elena’s words were surprising.

Sekht inclined his head once. "Thank you."

Then her eyes shifted to Lily. The change in them was subtle, but Lily caught it imdiately.

Lily blinked again. "Go?"