Page 139 of Burning Heir

He stopped before us, holding my hand between his. The hardness I’d seen in his stolen gaze was gone, shrouded by what I could only say was kindness. He blinked, and his eyes paled.

“Veravine would have loved to see you in that gown.” His jaw clenched tight, a whisper hanging on his lips.

I didn’t think I could speak. I believed my teeth were forced shut. “Thank you. I wish I could have met her.”

The king hardened his eyes. “Our love was starved and brittle. It had never seen daylight. And yet, I have never found something so powerful before. Something that fed off secrets and lust, and I knew the poison between our touch, how I’d be willing to destroy my legacy for one more gaze into her eyes.” He twisted off a silver bracelet and placed it in my hand. “It was Veravine’s. She wore it every day. They say all things loved hold memories. Please take it. Unveil her words for me.”

I curled my fingers around the metal band, and a simple purple glass pendant was looped around. “I don’t know what to say.” I wanted to ask why he saved me. He knew what I was to him. He knew of my forbidden quell. “Neval hair—is it truly powerful?”

“It seems to be.” The king waved his cane in the air and was gone, leaving a shattering wall of brilliant dust behind.

He had no idea. He’d just sent Bribers on a hunt for anyone with this streak, knowing it could be a descendant of Veravine’s—possibly his.

I ran my thumb over the band, meeting Archer’s eyes. “He knows I am related to Veravine. He must assume—”

“You would be dead, Sev, if he didn’t know. Forbidden quells are just that—forbidden. The bracelet he gave you is called a port, where a Serpent stores a memory.” We walked through the silent hall, the night still rung in my ears as the violin strummed a few final chords.

“Do you have a port?” I asked.

“Not yet. Only when we die does that memory get released. For most, it is their wedding band, but Veravine wasn’t married. Most Serpents use it for their wills.”

I tightened the chain in my fist, the glass stone pressing into my palm. “How do I—open it?”

“Not here. Keep it safe, and only open it in a place you trust. You are holding the last piece of Veravine. Who knows what is in there.”

The last piece of my grandmother. I put my fingers through the hoop that seemed to mend to the shape of my wrist. The silver was bright, catching the glow of the lanterns as we stepped along the flickered halls. We were alone at last. Archer leaned against the stone archway of the staircase.

“I suppose we shouldn’t get any closer.” I stared at his lips.

Archer shot a grin at me, his fingers stroking along the stone. “I think you’ll find a Serpent claim to be more powerful than whatever shield someone placed on you.”

“Archer, you didn’t have to bid the light in your realm. Your mother… gave her life for it.”

His eyes were a deep mix of piercing blue. He reached for my hand. “I was tired of a feud between my father. He would never have let up if I hadn’t. And if I can save your father… I will.”

I cupped his jaw, smoothing my palm over the afternoon shadow pricking below his chin. I pulled back quickly—afraid I’d hurt him. Afraid that shield would shock him when he gripped my wrist and held it above his heart.

“Why didn’t you tell me Naraic and Ciaran were born in Demetria? That you thought I could be your heir?” I clenched my jaw, holding my wobbling knees upright.

“How could I take that away from you? You fell in love with Ravensla. It is still your claim, Severyn. And I would be cruel to take that away from you. We are bonded between Gemini dragons. Naraic’s quell gave you flame, and Ciaran gave you shadows. The choice is yours.”

“Not when my father’s life is at risk. Archer, I don’t know what to do. I need to win Serpent, and Summer seems like a lifetime of bartering.” Tears brimmed my lids. They were not warm but chilled, as if a shadow had wrapped around us.

His thumb wiped my cheek. “Follow your heart, Severyn. If it is rushing canals you desire and the heat of the desert grazing your face, then you know your choice. I have many suitors who will take your place.”

“Take me to Demetria. Take me there now,” I whispered into his soft touch. “You claimed me. Now make use of it, Serpent.”

His lips inched closer to mine. He curled his fingers around my waist, pinning me against the stone wall. “Someday, but for now, you are entirely mine, Severyn. Every breath you breathe isowed to me.” His fingers slid under the slit of my gown and toward my thigh. “That includes every moan.”

He traced the seam of my panties. My gaze darted for anyone watching as a finger ran over the lace. My feverish body needed his touch, my thighs buzzing, heating as he circled the lacy strap with his thumb.

“Archer,” I breathed as he caught the gasp with his mouth, devouring any thoughts. I reached for his buckle, smoothing my hands over the metal straps, but a shadow of rope bound my wrists together. “What if someone sees?”

I cried in protest as his finger slipped out.

He portaled us to a room. My head hit the cotton pillow as Archer’s hands replaced the shadow binds. “Is this what you want? To silence our lust to darkness? For the moon to be our keeper.”

I nodded as he exposed my breasts, sucking each one until my head spun. His fingers untied the corset backing, slipping the gown off my body. His lips kissed my frame, claiming every inch and curve with his tongue.

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