The archive felt smaller after the truth settled between them. Mira kept her hand on the parchment as if letting go would make the seal disappear. The faint impression of her uncle’s mark remained visible under the altered ink, and no amount of doubt could erase what she recognized.
Ryker stood across from her. His expression had changed, but he had not spoken; the silence stretched long enough to become its own answer.
Mira lifted her gaze. “You see it,” she said.
Ryker did not respond immediately. His eyes remained on the document.
Mira stepped closer to him. “You cannot deny it,” she continued.
Ryker finally looked at her. “I am not denying what is in front of me,” he said.
Mira’s voice remained steady. “Then explain it.”
Ryker’s jaw tightened. “That seal should not be there.”
M
