Page 35 of Burning Heir

I said, “I would hardly call that a trial. What am I supposed to do with a cryptic note?”

Those blue eyes beamed with slight amusement. He crossed his arms over his chest, stroking silver hooks over my swollen skin. “You figure it out.” He paused. “Were you in the forests? If you wish to end your life, I know of easier ways than getting eaten alive.”

“I wasn’t trying to die—I was…” I couldn’t tellhimabout the voice. I changed the topic. “Leaving me unconscious in front of a dragon field is another way to die.” My curiosity about him boiled. “Sir,” I corrected with a hiss.

“I reset your wrist. I didn’t say I would tuck you in and read you a bedtime story. If someone wishes to finish you off, that is not on me.”

“Thankfully, your brother found me. He’s very noble.”

Archer chuckled, snugging the book tight against his ribs. “Damien will sleep with any girl who bats her eyes at him.Perhaps you should focus on your studies and not those of the male gaze.” Not entirely a demand, but I heard the unsteadiness in his voice.

“I have no intentions of dating anyone here.” My voice lowered as heads turned.

“Good. Because my brother will break your heart, I’m saying this as your mentor to try and focus on gaining strength and finding your damn quell before you doanything. The first year is about surviving. You eat, sleep, and fight.”

Archer and Charles would be great friends. “I heard you’re wounded. Doesn’t that make you seem weak to the students?” I whispered.

Within a blink, Archer grabbed my steady wrist, pressing it against my chest as he leaned in. “Don’t you dare speak to me like that. Iselflesslysaved you by allowing you under my mentorship. Every sound that escapes your lips belongs to me. If I want to break you, I will.” I couldn’t meet his eyes or release the air trapped in my lungs. “I expect you to be there tomorrow at sunrise with Bridger to find your damn quell before you embarrass me any further.”

Heavy tears brimmed my bottom lids, and I conjured up the most genuine grin. “Yes,Serpent. Do you have any more demands of me?”

“Stop crying. The salt will only burn your wounds more.” He let go and walked away.

I drowned out the sharp rhythm of his black boots tapping against the ground. My knees met the cold, unyielding stone, the chill seeping through and tightening around my core. Hugging my body, I tried to brace against the void curling within me.

But it was his eyes that held me captive—a glacial storm, piercing and unrelenting. The terror of a promised tomorrow echoed in their frozen depths, louder than any words he could have spoken.

Chapter Seven

Malachi focused on strengthening her shield during warding that next day. But that whirlpool of wind she created was nearly deadly as it blew her hair in a frenzy. Something dimmed in her eyes as she watched the air around her spin as if she saw her life spiraling inside. I didn’t ask if she was okay.

I figured Malachi was the kind of person who didn’t share too many details about her life.

I managed to find a faint shield, nearly rupturing a dozen blood vessels. But the breath knocked from my lungs as Knox leaned across the table toward me. “I think I got my quell yesterday. It’s not useful, but I started feeling people’s emotions,” he said. “Right now, you are anxious.” He closed one eye, hand slightly raised. “Perhaps it’s anger.”

“What gave it away?” I muttered.

“I read about this quell. If I keep working on it, I can alter people’s emotions. There are certain levels to each quell.” Knoxraised a brow toward Malachi. “I’ll bet she can make tornadoes if she keeps up with it. She could be a literal beautiful disaster.”

I sneered quietly, “Does someone have a crush on the heir of Verdonia?”

“No. Not Malachi,” he answered, a smug grin pressing at the corners of his mouth.

Knox never dated anyone, not that I knew of. And the Colindale selection had few options, especially with our name.

I prodded his shoulder. “Knox has a crush?”

“Everett,” he admitted in a whisper. “We’ve been talking during Day outings. He’s… different.”

“Isn’t Everett your rival and student mentor? Won’t that end… badly?”

He thumbed the spine of his warding book, slamming it shut. “Possibly. Forget it, Severyn.”

“There’s only one Day realm, Knox. Only one heir.”

“I—I know, Sev. We’re allowed to feel something besides pain here.” His fist collapsed to the table with a thud. “I’m allowed to feel something.”

I knew better than to keep pushing. “Did you know Klaus was a fire wielder?” I asked. “Everett’s a third-year, right?”

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