Page 70 of Burning Heir

And then, I saw it. That violet-eyed buttoned dress shirt hanging from the closet.

I snapped my fingers, summoning a small flame.

My knees buckled. Archer stepped out of the shadows, his face carved in fury. “Someone tried to kill you by putting a snake in your room. When I find out who did that…”

“I did,” I interrupted, my voice dry. “I found it on the first day. I thought it was a griffin egg… honestly, I forgot about it.”

His thumb pressed against his temple, his jaw clenching. “You what?”

“I found the egg,” I repeated, my tone defensive.

He studied me, his silver gaze piercing. “You poisoned yourself. I give it a year before the venom spreads to your heart.” His hands curled into fists. “How could you be so reckless?”

“There’s a cure, right?” I nearly fell back onto the bed.

“There is, but do you deserve it?” His voice was ice. “Do I deserve to be tied to you for the rest of my life, knowing how careless you are? Every time one of Naraic’s riders dies, it weakens Ciaran. Fortunately, our bond is still weak. I have nothing to lose if I let you die.”

I stifled a sob. “You wouldn’t let me die.”

“And why wouldn’t I?” His voice dropped, venomous. “You’re nothing but an inconvenience to me.”

My throat tightened as I glanced at where the mark of my brother’s name was etched into his skin. “Because Klaus meant something to you. If you let me die, you dishonor him.”

His teeth bared in a silent snarl. “Don’t bring Klaus into this.”

“Why not? Because he was your friend? Because I’m just his annoying little sister? If you don’t cure me, I’ll find the cure myself.”

“There is no cure for snake venom on this island, and the academy does not tolerate students who bring deadly serpent eggs into the castle.”

The weight in my ankle finally registered as I collapsed. Cold hands caught my elbow, yanking me upright. Archer leaned in, his lips curling in spite. “Your entire foot is already numb. Perhaps by winter, you’ll be gone.”

“What do you want from me?” I whispered, holding his glacier-like gaze. “I thought we were… friends.”

Archer’s jaw tightened, his tall frame casting me in shadow. “I’ll give you the cure on one condition.”

“You’re going to make me wait?” I hissed.

His icy stare bore into mine, unyielding. “Indeed, but not without reason. My condition is this: I want you to take my father’s title. You have a season to prove to the Serpents that you’re worthy. In return for the cure, your life will no longer be your own. You’ll be my personal weapon. I’m done playing games, Severyn.”

The choice was clear: accept his offer and live at the cost of betrayal, or reject it and face an agonizing death. My voice wavered as I spoke. “I can’t do that to Damien.”

“Dying for a boy you’ve known for weeks is desperate, Severyn. I’d rethink those words as you begin counting your breaths.”

“Fine,” I spat. “I’ll try.”

“I’ve warded our conversations so Damien cannot hear,” he added coldly.

“What about my leg? I can’t feel my foot. How am I supposed to ride Naraic? Archer, you can’t be serious.”

“You’ll regain feeling once you have the cure.”

I clenched my fists, forcing back tears. “Why are you doing this?”

“I’m going to barter something at the bid, something your father needs to survive,” he mused. “And I believe a few Serpents will quite enjoy that offer.”

Anger flared within me, heat rising through my chest. A spark of fire leaped from my palms. Archer shifted his fingers, snuffing the flame with a shadow.

“Where are my clothes?” I snapped. “I can’t leave your bedroom in your shirt.”

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