Page 37

Words, truth, sat on the edge of my tongue. I had to tell him about Everett. How that dragon had not only been Klaus’, but he’d given me Klaus’ quell.

I slowly stirred the soup, and chunks of ripe beets sank. “Knox, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“If it’s about Damien, I already know. He asked me about you when I first bonded with Relic. I let him have my words, told him he’d be my second kill if he hurt you.”

“It’s not about Damien. It’s about Klaus.” Shuddering, I raised a hand. “You killed someone?”

Knox leaned back on the velvet bench with a raised brow. “Day’s initiation. Anyway, what about Klaus?”

“My dragon’s real name is Naraic. He was Klaus’s dragon.”

Knox pulled his brows together. “That can’t be. Everett told me Naraic died along with Klaus.”

“I brought him back to life, Knox. I saved him. Naraic gave me Klaus’ fire antecedent quell.” I swallowed hard, hoping I could do the same with my words. “I saved Everett that day. He was dead, Knox.”

Those golden eyes showed a whirl of emotions as an unfamiliar gaze held me. “Everett told me you were the first thing he saw when he woke up. He made it seem like you saved him. I couldn’t understand…”

“I couldn’t let his death destroy you, not after Klaus. I should have told you, but this quell I have is forbidden. If anyone finds out, it will be stripped away, or I will die.”

“The power of resurrection,” he scoffed. “I won’t tell anyone, Severyn. You know you can trust me. I know Klaus was always your favorite, but I’m still here for you.”

I had to believe that our blood was enough. That Knox would keep that loose promise and guard it with his heart.

I wouldn’t know what I would do without my brothers.

I’d been exhausted for the better half of the day, nearly collapsing into my bed as a soft knock sounded at the door, and I could tell it was Damien by the smooth rhythm.

“Come in,” I called, and the door unlocked with a click .

Damien stepped inside wearing a black tie and a traditional academy dress shirt.

We’d all lived in dirty combat clothes for the first few weeks.

I’d forgotten we had other outfits besides bloodied, torn fabric and leather.

His hair was damp, and a clean shave marked his sharp jaw.

In his hand, he carried a leather-bound book.

“I brought this for you. It’s all about fire quells. I figured you were more of a reader than a hands-on learner.”

“Thanks.” I grinned. A natural smile, not the forced one Knox compelled on me for two hours as we sat in the dining hall.

Edged on the bed, Damien placed the book on his thigh. “What Archer did today was wrong. I know he is a Serpent, but he had no right to push you like that.”

“I’m fine.”

Damien ran his fingers through his hair, staring at the empty bed across the room. “Is she ever here?”

“She stays with Monty most nights now. Something is bothering her. I think it concerns the letters we received on the first trial.”

Damien peered toward the window as if capable of seeing another world within that glass. “It’s a scare tactic. Some of us need to know our demons. For some, it’s a quest. I assume Malachi is trying to uncover something.”

“The king’s granddaughter is trying to uncover something? Can’t she just… snap her fingers and have anyone at her will?”

“Well, Monty’s eldest siblings are his personal guards at the capital. Malachi is not the type of person who throws herself at power. She wants something from him, something that requires trust.”

“That sounds exhausting.”

Damien shifted to lay beside me. “Perhaps, but people do desperate things when in need.”

The pale moonlight poured through the windows, casting soft shadows across the room. I yawned, burying my blistered fingers under the woven blanket. “I wonder what her letter said. Are you able to read her mind?”

“It’s shielded under the academy wards. I’m sure it involves her title, or she wouldn’t be spending time with Monty.”

“Mine was vague—said I was part of a barter.”

“Did you ever figure out what it was?” he asked.

I shook my head. “It has to do with my father’s shields.”

“Serpent barters are serious, Sev. Archer tried to barter with any realm to break his bond with Ciaran after Klaus died. No one in the entire Continent was powerful enough to do it.”

Sadness dragged through me. Perhaps there was one other who carried the loss of Klaus the way I did.

“He tried to break his bond? Is that possible?”

“Ciaran had not been seen since Klaus died. It nearly killed him, and now that you are bonded with Naraic, Archer can’t afford to lose you… Gemini dragons normally only bond with one rider. Something must have happened for their dragon root to splice between shadow and flame.”

He sure made me feel replaceable the other day. I’d never been needed or used to someone’s advantage, and now, one of the most powerful Serpents needed me. Archer was a manipulator, and I’d bet anything he’d give me the cure only if it came to my death—his weakness.

“Promise me we won’t let anything get between us, Damien. I don’t want to lose you… I’m sure you’ve read my thoughts by now. ”

I rested my chin on his ribs. Damien was the air I needed to survive. My mind held all those clipped thoughts, and I didn’t care if he knew.

His voice had no disdain or hidden sense of betrayal, but his words cut like a knife. “Severyn, this isn’t a game. This is our dynasty. It will break us someday, but let us be one piece for now.”

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.”