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But I wasn’t sure if I did, because it was happening again.

Those tight grips of his fingers around my body made me believe he wanted me in another way.

I knew I was clueless in every sense of romance, but this was not me being na?ve.

His heart strummed against my chest as his cool breath hit my forehead.

This was coldblooded, something derived from time spent.

A mimic of lust. This was breathless whispers, rambled words, and everything I’d read in the fables.

But Damien had told me he didn’t believe in fairytales.

“Damien, I am in the run for only your father’s title,” I whispered in one defeated breath. “My mother was a Ravensla native. I didn’t know.”

His forehead leaned into mine. “I know.”

“This complicates things.”

He shook his head. “My entire life has been muddled thoughts and fragmented conversations. Every moment, I live in constant noise. I find peace within you, Severyn. So, forgive me for saying I don’t care if we are rivals. I never cared about earning a damn title.”

“You may not want it now. ”

“You’ll know when I change my mind because I could kill you without you ever seeing it coming. I hear every thought, every nerve that dares to move inside your body! And I’m afraid I’ll hurt you someday.” He hovered over my heart, dragging the dull end against the button loops on my shirt.

I reached my arm up, and he grabbed my wrist, pinning it against his chest.

He got close. One hand on either side of me, a breath separating us. I didn’t push him away, but perhaps I should’ve been terrorized. Reckless, dangerous madness. Or, as Cain described, chaos.

“Damien,” I breathed. “You don’t scare me.”

It was a lie, and he knew it.

“It doesn’t hurt yet. Let’s enjoy it while it lasts,” he said.

He meant us. Someday, we would hurt the other.

Malachi’s shadow flickered under the doorway of our room after Damien and I parted ways in the grand hall. I lingered outside, waiting for a moment of peace before facing her inevitable chatter about her latest date with Monty.

But when the door creaked open, it wasn’t Malachi. It wasn't even human.

A black-scaled creature lunged at me, its gaping maw lined with needle-sharp teeth. I screamed, stumbling backward over the shattered remnants of a golden eggshell. The creature slithered across the stone floor, its hiss slicing through the air as it coiled and struck again.

Panic coursed through me. I reached for my flame, but fear clogged my veins, and all I could muster was a wave of sweat. It lunged again, sinking its jagged teeth into my ankle. Pain seared through my leg as I kicked desperately, my breath hitching in terror.

I screamed again, kicking harder, but the creature’s grip tightened. The pain was unbearable as I clawed at its eye, jabbing my fingers into the soft, wet iris. It reared back with a shrill hiss, but it didn’t let go.

My vision blurred. The skin around my ankle turned pale, the bone nearly exposed. It lunged again, and in my scramble, I slammed my head against the tile floor. Stars exploded behind my eyes, the world tipping sideways.

Death had courted me many times. Born in the chrysalis of darkness, the womb of a woman who killed with her eyes and touch, perhaps I was destined to die this way—poisoned, broken.

Maybe I saved those keys for myself.

In and out of consciousness, shadows engulfed me. I awoke on a velvet bed, a cold draft brushing against my cheekbone.

I groaned, stretching my arms as the memory of last night surfaced.

The tight bandage around my ankle was a cruel reminder.

Where the hell was I? The windows were shattered, letting in the icy wind.

I limped toward the jagged frames and realized I was at the top of the castle, overlooking the griffin fields.

My clothes hung loosely, draping off my elbows. I gripped the wooden bedpost, steadying myself as my gaze landed on twelve silver-tipped arrows mounted on the wall.

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.”

“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 does this benefit 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.