Page 82 of Burning Heir

I outstretched my hand toward the door, falling out of bed as it unlocked. Gods… my head pounded.

“Severyn,” Damien gasped, surveying yesterday’s clothes on my body and the rips in my stockings. “Did you trip walking home last night? Your tights are shredded.”

I waited for the spiraling questions once my thoughts of last night leaked out. I changed quickly, asking, “Where didyougo last night?” He held the door open as I ran my fingers through my tangled locks. “I was worried about you.”

Walking to combat, Damien kept his eyes low. “Monty’s thoughts are loud. He wanted some personal time with you, and I wasn’t interested in seeing you swoon over him. I understand the desire for power, especially for someone like you.”

I stared at him. “You thought I was interested in Monty?”

“Well, there was someone on your mind last night,” Damien sneered. “And your thoughts are muddled after I left, so I don’t know what happened.”

Ididn’t know what happened last night. I couldn’t tell him about Archer taking me home and how close we were. “Nothing happened.”

He’d only marked me with his shadows.

Damien grinned. “I trust you, Severyn.” He pushed open the iron doors as we left the grand hall. His boot kicked a stone, chipping along the onyx path.

“Good,” I whispered. Liquid lies coursed through my heated veins.

“That was some storm we had last night,” he chuckled low. “Did you know that when certain quells are shared, they can create a new power? Fire and wind can create a tornado, but fire and shadows make thunder and lightning. How interesting is that?”

My body iced. “That is interesting.”

Damien glanced at the glass pendant around my neck. “Your necklace is twisted, Sev.”

My cheeks heated. I gripped the chain, centering the pendant. “Nothing happened between us. He walked me home,” I hissed.

“Oh, Iknow.”

I let out a choked breath of ash. “Good.”

“I think your barter with him is quite cute, though. I never saw it coming,” he muttered, “now you understand when I say that whatever friendship we have will shatter in a few months.”

I did a complete spin to face him, grabbing his elbow. “Then you must have heard why I made that deal, Damien. I’ll die if I don’t get the cure. You know it killed me keeping this a secret from you.”

Somehow, he knew. The shield Archer placed between us, warding our words, had failed.

A mask of cold slicked his features. The Damien who walked me to class was gone within a night’s breadth. Power. Damien chose power over me, over my life.

“That’s a bit dramatic, Severyn. It didn’tkillyou. I thought it was rather easy for you, how every day you’d smile at me, and I’d pretend I didn’t know. Perhaps I do want that title. It is mine to claim, and you said it yourself—you’re just another Bridger trying to claim heirship.”

I wanted to cry for how cruel he was being. “I suppose your decision has been made then.”

Damien tightened his lips. “What is it they call us?Rivals?” He shrugged. “We have a few more months until we truly shatter.”

Chapter Seventeen

The days leading up to the Skyfall race all seemed to blend. The trails were warded off in preparation for the race. Malachi mentioned earlier how flying overhead was forbidden, and those who attempted to do so would be scorched. And death would be kinder than the mangled mess your fried brain would be if one tried.

Dozens of visitors from across Verdonia flew in to witness the race. Various quells rippled through the air as cloaked figures strutted through the courtyards. We were told not to converse with them. A few Serpents showed, and I waited for frost to brim the windows as Father’s loud boots entered, but he never came.

Knox spent the last day trying to convince me to back out, telling me how dangerous the race was. Naraic nearly cindered his pants when he wouldn’t take no for an answer.

The Serpents left two nights before, likely to ensure their borders were secure with the influx of riders making their way to the academy. Archer knew today was important—knew I needed him, even if I couldn’t admit it. Even if he’d warned me this race would draw unwanted attention to Naraic.

No one wanted me to race. But as I stood on the fields with two dozen riders, listening to the headmaster explain the rules, the nervous jitters in my gut only grew stronger. He wore a grey cloak sewn with gems down the side and black slacks. His yellow eyes, matching the dimming sunlight, darted toward the guards stationed near the castle doors.

“The map goes through every realm. Silver ribbons are worth one point, and gold ribbons are worth two. If a rider falls, do not save them; that will only slow you down. If your feet touch the ground, you are disqualified. If your dragon dies, you are disqualified. You can kill and dismount other riders, and using quells is encouraged.” The headmaster stared at the clouds as he continued, “I must warn you that the wards are down, meaning creatures and beasts of all sorts will lurk through the skies.”

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