Page 104 of Severed Heir

“Reading and riding are not the same!”

“You won’t fall. I promise. Right, Naraic?”

Cully stared at the dragon like he was staring into death itself. “He died. He didn’t die? Then, does that mean Klaus—?”

“Klaus is gone,” I said softly. “But Naraic survived. He’s mine now.”

I stepped closer. “Cully, you believed in me when I couldn’t. Don’t stop now.”

He groaned. “Screw it.”

He took off at a sprint, scrambling up Naraic’s tail like a drunk mountain goat, then face-planted into his spine. Groaning, he lifted one arm like a shaky war hero. “Okay. I’m on. This is happening. I hate this. Let’s go.”

“Tail first? Really?”Naraic muttered through the bond.“I feel... violated.”

I hoisted myself up in front of Cully. “Hold on. And don’t look down.”

His fingers dug into Naraic’s scales, hands trembling. “This thing is massive. Holy realms.”

“I love being insulted,”Naraic grumbled.“Massive? Not majestic? Not fearsome? Just... massive.”

“Ready?” I asked, ignoring him.

“Absolutely not,” said Cully.

Naraic thundered across the plains and launched into the air. Cully clung to me, nails biting into my sides, his breath coming in short, sharp gasps. Frost-laced wind tore across our faces as we climbed higher into the clouds, and everything became silent.

That was what I appreciated about Cully—he didn’t talk when there was nothing worth saying. Lately, I wasn’t one for talking either.

I glanced back. “You alright?”

He was pale. “Just trying to figure out how my little sister got so... bold.” He exhaled. “The Academy broke you, didn’t it?”

I hesitated. “I thought it did. But it also made me feel more alive than I ever had. Pain, love, friendship... it breaks you. But sometimes in the best way.”

He didn’t answer right away.

“I hope Father’s okay,” he said finally. “Without the sun, rebuilding Colindale will take years.”

My voice dropped. “Father bartered me for marriage, Cully. Did you know?”

“Ah, yeah, I guess. I found out during my first year at Valscribe,” he admitted. “Every barter is recorded. I wanted to tear the parchment up. Father told me it was handled and to never speak of it again.”

“Well,” I muttered, “now Damien Lynch has claimed his heir. And I’m supposed to marry him.”

“That’s bullshit. You’re a Serpent, well, an heir, but still. The Night Serpent would have to agree. It’s a union between three.”

“What if the Night Serpent is in prison?” I asked. “Does he still get a say?”

He sighed. “That complicates things... Yeah, that really complicates things. Shit, I’m sorry about that damn article. I only wanted your story to be epic. I saw the way he looked at you and I did what I thought was right.”

“I won’t marry Damien,” I seethed. “I won’t be the sacrifice to save Colindale, not even a single finger.”

“What’s the alternative?” he asked. “Look... I’m not in favor of it, but it’s still your home.”

“I don’t know,” I whispered, wind biting the words away. “But there must be another way. I won’t marry a man who lied to me.”

“You shouldn’t,” he said softly. “But part of me wonders if this is all my fault.”

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