Page 71 of Burning Heir

“You don’t have to worry about that. Half the academy already thinks you’re fucking my little brother.”

“Is that a problem?” I asked, cocking my head.

Archer scoffed. “You can do whatever you want, Severyn. But Damien will only hurt you in the end. My father wants Ravensla to stay in our family’s line, but Damien will ruin it. The land will become barren before his first term ends if he claims the title. He’s unstable and reckless. And you’re just as foolish for trusting him.”

“Is that so? He told me he doesn’t even want the title.”

My heart froze as his silver eyes darkened. I shoved my trembling hands behind me, refusing to let him see my fear.

“And you believed him?” He clicked his tongue. “You’re a foolish girl. Do you simply fall for the first man who is kind to you?”

I ignored his last words. “How doesthisbenefit you in any way?”

“A Serpent never reveals his barter before the bid.” He took a shadowed step away, and I traced the outline of his shoulders toward his sharp jawbone. Wicked beauty held those bones of cruelty clenched within his smirk. And I hated that I called him beautiful.

I fisted the oversized shirt, smelling only his rich whisky scent. Heat boiled within me. I could play his game. He wanted a pawn, but I would be the queen, and I knew my power. I was his gambit, and to hell would I allow him to break me.

‘We knew you would come.’Had Archer planned this? Was it a lust for power, to bid something my father needed if I won Serpent? I remembered that letter, the swirled quill marks stating a failed bargain for my freedom would leave the Winter shield to shatter.

My freedom. Had father bid my freedom, and now whoever claimed it was taking it back?

I sat on the field beside Naraic that next day. With warding postponed, my thoughts basked in the heat of my mind all morning as my legs did the sun. I’d rewrapped the bandage on my ankle twice already.

How could I keep this from Damien after his kindness to me? After we’d kissed. Longing, it was an endless sense of doom.

“Is Archer always an arrogant bastard?”I asked through the bond to Naraic.

“No.”

“What was he like before?”I imagined becoming a Serpent did something to you. It rotted your mind from the core and made you feel invincible.

“Kind. When Klaus died, that kindness left. It is only a matter of time before you will care for him. Whether you like it or not, a bond will form between you. I trust Archer with my life, regardless.”

“Why? He doesn’t deserve our trust… not when he’s forcing me to lie to Damien.”

Naraic stretched his wings in the single shred of sunlight, holding firm through the clouds.“We are all bonded. Ciaran hears everything… Archer as well.”

“Through this bond?”Heat rose to my cheeks.

“I’ve cut her off, but Archer is strong enough to break through sometimes. His bond with you is different.”

“Sometimes?”

“Ciaran called to you to find me. Archer could hear her. He knew what you were to him. Knew it from the day he heard your name. Trust him, Severyn.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Silence.“I did not know what you would be like.”

Naraic didn’t trust me at first because I was not Klaus. “I have combat in ten minutes. I’ll find you at the fields in two hours.”

Naraic grunted, tremoring his spiked tail.

I smiled at Myla as I reached the fields. After I melted her ice in class, it felt like a week had passed since we last spoke. Two swords were sheathed on either side of her narrow waist—one silver-tipped and the other with an opal handle from the Day realm. She had more weapons than any other first-year, even surpassing some seniors.

Professor Knight made Monty the instructor today. Monty acknowledged me with a swift nod as I stood across from Knox, whose eyes flared at me and my empty hands. I had no daggers.

Monty stretched his arms with a groan. He moved like the afternoon sun, casting rays of light across the grass.

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