Page 75 of Burning Heir

My lips tightened, knowing there was truth in his words. “It doesn’t have to break us.”

Damien shot a half-grin at me. “For now, North.For now.”

Chapter Sixteen

Summer was in full swing. Parched leaves dotted the overgrown paths, and sweat clung to my skin, a second layer. I felt like a flower, desperate for sunlight, as a tan darkened my complexion. The more I realized how suffocated I’d been all my life, the more I despised myself. It was a cruel thing, to blame my home, my heart—one that no longer beat for the chill of winter.

I earned another dagger from Alaric. I was two away from gaining a sword, thanks to Archer. I did not deserve that win.

Antonia glared at me as I sheathed the speckled grey-handled blade along my ribs. Twirling her black-glazed sword, she hissed from across the field, “Don’t get used to it, Blanche. Fire needs fuel, and you’re nearly starved for air. Archer only pitied you because of your brother, and you know it.”

She left with Alaric before I could respond.

Myla ran after me, Haziel squeaking as her barbed black feathers broke through. “Sev,” she called. “Callum asked to be against you in combat this week since it’s Winter against Summer. I wanted to warn you.” Bridger stayed a few steps back, arms crossed over his chest.

“Thanks for warning me. But I can handle him.”

“He’s pissed. Thinks you’re getting special treatment since Archer gave you two daggers.”

I licked my chapped lips. “Do you believe him?”

She sucked in a breath. “Maybe. It’s not exactly fair you’ve advanced to quells in your first year.”

“Why doesn’t Bridger vouch for you? Since he’s so close to Jenessa.”

A wax of frost billowed from Bridger’s fingertips. “Leave her, Myla. People like Severyn will only know luxuries and handouts. She’ll never be like us, and thank the Gods above, her father’s title is out of her hands.”

“You will never be my father’s heir,” I hissed at Bridger. “I’ll make sure of it.”

I didn’t owe Myla my life anymore—not since I saved hers. But the pain of what we were hurt. I lost Myla on the Winter Trails to the heart of someone who’d rip mine out if he got another chance.

I walked away before I said something I would regret even more.

Archer had been gone with Ciaran for three days. I’d grown used to his absence, though Naraic remained restless, his gaze drifting toward the clouds each night.

The ripple hit me before I saw the black wings slicing through the horizon.

Archer stood beneath the charred willow, leaning casually while Monty sparred beside him. The other Serpents watchedwith sharp, calculating eyes. A nervous flutter stirred in my stomach, but the cold weight of truth quickly smothered it.

I was his weapon.

Professor Knight read out the names of opponents: “Knox, Myla. Severyn, Callum. Malachi and Damien.”

Callum gave a low chuckle. He stretched his muscled arms as if he already felt victorious. I waited three days to hear his name and mine together. He’d finish me off here. He’d end me weeks before the Serpent bid, where my father would be forced to face the potential new heir of his land.

And I lied to Myla when I said I could handle him. I… did not want to feel ice crawling through my lungs again.

I owed it to the cold showers I forced myself to endure every day since that explosive fire. My fingers were nearly healed, with only slight scarring on the nailbeds.

Callum bowed before me. “Ladies first,” he said.

Myla kept her eyes on me. We’d both felt that shift when I became a Summer. Perhaps it was envy in her eyes as she watched the spark ignite in my palm.

I glanced at Callum’s boots. The same ones he’d worn that night. Thankfully, the impression didn’t scar. But a mind tended to scar differently than a body. Aches and bruises mended—but Callum had ensured his scars were deep.

Golden eyes narrowed, sizing me up.

Damien spoke in my mind,“He plans to strike you on your left and steal the dagger sheathed at your ribs.”I quickly glanced at Damien, but he was mid-bow to Malachi, grinning opposite me.“Do not make it obvious I am helping you. Keep your eyes on him,”he hissed back, ripping out of my weak shield.

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