Chapter 271: The Quiet Vow VII
Sekhmet stood in silence for a few moments after the room quieted again.
"If you intend to answer tonight, answer now. If you intend to delay, tell me now."
"Yes."
Lily glanced at him, but said nothing yet.
Sekhmet turned slightly toward Elena. "Tell Kess he will have my decision tomorrow night."
"Yes."
"No," Sekhmet said. "That is exact."
"Oh," Seraphiel said softly. "How arrogant."
She looked almost luminous in her satisfaction now, as if old memories had put fresh wine into her veins.
Sekhmet 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.
Sekhmet continued. "He came 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 same 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 Sekhmet to Seraphiel.
"That sounds charming," Lily muttered.
Then she looked directly at Sekhmet.
Sekhmet 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 Sekhmet," Seraphiel said. "Which means they are still considered the same generation inside the house."
Sekhmet knew it immediately. 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 same generational ladder, then this would never remain a matter of mere branch inspection. Not truly.
Seraphiel went on.
Sekhmet’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."
Sekhmet 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.
Sekhmet 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.
Sekhmet inclined his head once. "Thank you."
Then her eyes shifted to Lily. The change in them was subtle, but Lily caught it immediately.
Lily blinked again. "Go?"