Page 64 of Burning Heir

“Klaus was never this awkward on his dates. Don’t ask about them; he’d scorch me from the grave,”Naraic teased.

I glared at him, forgetting to use our bond. “Remember when I saved your life?”

Damien arched a brow. “I can’t hear what goes on between you two, you know,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “Though, sometimes, I wish I could. Naraic makes you laugh.”

“He thinks you wore cologne for him. He’s disappointed.”

“What was that? You embarrassed him. Now get on me so we can leave this misery,”Naraic grumbled.

Climbing onto Naraic was far from graceful, but I managed.

“Thank him for noticing,” Damien said, winking as he mounted Emerich.

I ran a finger along one of Naraic’s scarred scales. “If you’re good, he might give you a chicken head. He has a few dried ones tucked away.”

A glob of drool dripped in approval. We took off into the veiled sky, following the current of Emerich’s wings. We circledthe castle, its stones swallowed by the black void below the clouds. Emerich banked left, leading us toward the Spring forests. The shield warding those vine-wrapped borders tingled against my skin as we entered. The air was thick with lavender and dew, each breath refreshing and sharp.

Damien pointed to a clearing below. Naraic followed, though less gracefully, his bat-like wings snagging on brambles. He hissed when a thorn clipped his scales during the landing.

The clearing glowed softly, lanterns hanging from trees, casting warm light over the daisies, and pale peonies carpeting the ground. Petals drifted across a broken cobblestone path in the gentle breeze. Damien dismounted Emerich and approached with an outstretched hand. “I know you don’t need help, but please, take my hand.”

I nodded, letting him pull me down. Our chests brushed, our breathing syncing as he steadied me. “Don’t we risk expulsion being here?” I whispered. “This is Spring territory.”

Damien smirked, his eyes glinting. “The girl harboring a forbidden quell is worried about expulsion?”

His hand lingered on mine, and my heart skipped. “So, why are we in the Spring trails at night?” I asked.

“Spring has special wards. This clearing is warded to suppress quells, making it the only place I can find peace. Here, I can’t read your mind.”

I held out my palm, watching for a spark. Nothing. Even the bond with Naraic had gone silent. “Do you not enjoy hearing my mind?”

Damien exhaled. “I don’t. But I know I’m in for a lifetime of brutal honesty, even if no words are spoken.” He took my hand again, leading me toward a faint blue glow emanating from the bushes. A soft trickle of water dampened my face as a hot spring appeared through the trees.

“You mentioned you gained your quell at Harvest?” I asked.

“Harvest is a huge festival. It’s the only time Summer’s wards are down. I started hearing thoughts when I was fifteen.”

“Malachi mentioned your mother… I’m sorry about your loss.” I cringed, hating how I sounded. It was the same awkwardness I despised when people brought up Klaus.

Damien’s voice wavered. “My mother went missing when I was fifteen. No one knew where she was, but I knew the truth. My father… he killed her. Archer didn’t believe me until he became a Serpent. I was sent to boarding school at sixteen. Hearing that Archer claimed a title and I was accepted into the academy felt surreal. I haven’t seen my father since.”

I brushed my thumb over his knuckles. “You can’t blame yourself for that.”

“In a few weeks, my father will place his bid, and it won’t be my name. Archer will make his bid, too, and it won’t be yours. He may even drag you back to the Night realm after this year. He tries to shield his thoughts from me, but I know he’s already plotting how to exist as a Serpent while bonded to your dragon.”

I shook my head. “He can’t do that. I deserve to be here just as much as he does.”

“The moment I met you, I heard your thoughts and thought I was listening to my own. I thought, for once, I could have something that was only mine.” Damien’s fingers laced with mine. “You know I’ll protect you. I don’t know why, but I can’t stay away.”

“I feel the same way,” I whispered.

“I’ve heard of worlds without dragons or quells. Where love isn’t a contract but a promise. A man at boarding school spoke of such lands. I’ve often wondered if these wards are meant to keep us in.”

“You remind me of my brother Cully. He always made me wonder what else is out there.”

Damien sighed. “Care for a dip?”

“Is it safe?” I asked, eyeing the bubbling water nervously.

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