Aria stood frozen, the weight of Jared's words crashing into her like a blow to the chest. She had read enough books, heard enough whispered stories, to know exactly what an artifact was. Ancient. Rare. Power so immense it could shift the balance between entire clans and kingdoms. The kind of object wars were started over.
And yet, one was being offered for her. Just like that.
The idea made her heart skip—part terror, part hope. Her eyes darted to Zyren, searching his face for a clue as to how he would react. What she found made her stomach twist.
He looked like he had swallowed something foul.
"You're offering one of your people's artifacts," Zyren said slowly, his words flat and cold, "for her?"
Jared didn't flinch. "We have five," he said, jaw tight. "I'm aware you only have three."
