Page 37 of Burning Heir

“You wouldn’t have found that book if you weren’t curious. You can ask me anything. The king’s family has always been an interesting topic amongst the followers.” Her throat bobbled. “You have no idea what it’s like to be accused of treason simply because my last name isHerring.”

“I don’t understand. Cleminore was Bernard’s wife?”

“His sister. This was before the title was earned. My family has a history of bonding with snakes, large snakes that will listen to your command, and those eggs will bond with you. The power was too great, and it created monsters… deadly monsters that eradicated entire realms, leaving the land bare. Cleminore made each of her children prove they were worthy of the throne by killing the very beast that destroyed villages—a snake. She placed dark magic wards on all lindworms and made it a test to prove their loyalty to Verdonia, as they are the rarest and deadliest snake known. Kill the lindworm and consume the title. This academy exists to ensure power is passed down in good faith. Cleminore knew the throne was never hers, and at any moment, it could be ripped away, even by her own children. In some way, she was the least power-hungry of my entire family. I am the last of my bloodline to keep Verdonia in the Herring name.”

“Five more minutes, Malachi, and not a second longer,” Monty yelled from the library doors.

Malachi rolled her eyes and handed me a book. “These are all the students with last names starting with B who attended the academy. I skimmed through it, and unfortunately, Knox was right. It doesn’t list Klaus’s death, only that he drowned somewhere on the trial grounds.”

She raised her brows and tapped her finger on a line. “Did you know your brother Charles was born at the academy? That means your parents conceived here. No wonder your mother didn’t claim Serpent her year. It’s strange, though—the parchment on his entry looks different, almost like it’s been tampered with or corrupted.” She snapped the book shut, stirring a cloud of dustinto the air. “Your family might not have decades of betrayal, but I’m sure the more you dig, the more secrets you’ll uncover.”

I clenched my fists and said, “This is too much.”

Her eyes lit with excitement, dimming before settling into a grin. “Welcome to the Serpent life. You’re a legacy, and that comes with secrets.”

I blinked slowly, nearly choking on the air. “Estella mentioned my mother was pregnant, but I wasn’t coherent. It just… doesn’t make sense. My father was already in power when Charles was born. Why would my mother stay another year here?”

“Yeah, his place of birth lists the academy’s coordinates. That must be a first in Serpent history. I’m all for getting hot and heavy, but to risk getting expelled by not being careful. That’s why they make mycris for us to smoke to avoid such… disasters. I couldn’t imagine facing trial while pregnant.”

“Do me a favor and never repeat that.” I closed my eyes, cringing.

“Speaking of hot. Monty’s a hothead, and before we get locked in here.” She glanced at the door. “We should leave.”

I followed Malachi outside the library, stuffing the book under my armpit.

Monty didn’t look at me as we stepped out, and I doubted he knew my name. “Meet me in two hours by the sparring fields,” he whispered to Malachi.

Malachi sucked on her bottom lip. “I’m staying the night with Monty. Strictly professional.”

“Professional? As in warming his bed?”

She snickered, walking the opposite way. “Finally, someone who understands me.”

Perhaps today only left me more curious about Malachi’s family. I’d never heard of a snake enigma. It all seemed barbaric,and no wonder some years no student won Serpent if one had to kill a beast of that size and live.

The Serpent will mark you. Was it bravery that made a Serpent?

But I knew it was power—the taste of it, the luxuriance it brought. This castle was made of the finest gold. And I didn’t doubt the scaled walls were real.

A dizzy spell came on. It was as if the wards of the library knew I didn’t belong, and that twist in my stomach lingered. Sleep would claim me fast, and as the lantern-flecked halls swallowed me within those seas of stars, I wished the moon would hover for longer. I knew a broken nose only held someone back for a day or two before that power grumbled and groanedto breathe.

Chapter Eight

“Are you ready?” Bridger asked, standing beside the entrance of the Winter trails with a bandage covering his swollen nose.

I tucked my freezing hands under my arms as we walked. Callum, another third-year Winter, joined Bridger. His pale eyes and golden locks reminded me of every Winter male I’d met—sharp, cold, and detached. But his rounder face and wider eyes, paired with his meaty frame, marked him as a Winborrow native.

“I was ready yesterday,” I hissed under my breath.

I tightened an extra bandage around my wrist to secure it, bracing for the pain that would surely return soon. Archer had reset the bone, sparing me worse agony, but the excruciating ache lingered.

Callum sneered. “You’ll pay for your brother’s mistakes today, don’t worry.” He kicked my shins, sending me sprawlingface-first toward the scaled ice wall. The last bit of warmth in my lungs escaped in a sharp gasp.

I froze, staring down the wall. My head spun as I crawled back onto all fours, the height making my stomach churn. I bit my tongue, refusing to answer him, choosing silence over retaliation.

If I didn’t return to the academy with a quell or at least an enigma, Archer might ship me off to Malvoria—or worse, Bridger would kill me here and now. All it would take was one kick, and I’d tumble fifty feet to my death. The Winter realm would claim my body, and Bridger would claim the Serpent title.

Bridger’s lips curled in a cruel smirk as he planted his feet, watching me. “Your mentor told me you’re to bond with the first creature that looks at you—even if it’s a pigeon. Strict orders from Archer.”

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