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“Archer—” Kian wrapped his arms around his brother’s neck, then his hazel eyes flickered at me. They were darker around the iris, flecked with brown swirls within. “And who is this lovely creature?”

Archer’s hand hovered the small of my back, his touch light. “Severyn Blanche. Remember her face because she will be your mentor next year,” Archer said with a grin .

“So, she is the girl from your letters?” Kian responded with a soft chuckle that struck the hair on my spine to rise. “You are right—she is beautiful. If I were you, Sev, I’d run away now.”

What was happening? Archer wrote letters about me. I swallowed hard, failing to keep my voice steady as Kian embraced me with one slender arm. “Damien and I are great friends, too.”

He snapped his finger. “That’s right, it was Damien who wrote about you.

I suppose your little romance ended when you got pushed in line to take the Southern throne.

Not all is fair in love and title.” Kian took a step back, allowing us to enter.

“Make yourself at home, Sevy. There’s a fresh pot of tea on.

Your room is on the second floor across from Archer’s.

And if you get scared at night, my bed is always open. ”

Sevy. That’s a new one.

Archer jabbed Kian’s ribs. “Be respectful.”

Kian smirked. “I’m only looking out for Severyn. Surely she hasn’t had enough Lynch in her life.” He nudged me as I walked past him. “You know I’m joking, right?”

Warmth hit my face. It was a sense of welcoming. I glanced at Kian and laughed. “Right now, you seem to be my favorite.”

The walls were dark gray, their shadows deepened by the flickering light of a log fireplace. At the center of the room lay a fur rug, unmistakably from some Summer beast, its hide stretched and worn with age.

A painting hung on the wall depicted a family of five.

The mother, fair-skinned with piercing silver eyes and auburn hair, rested a graceful hand on the eldest son’s shoulder—a boy of about twelve.

Beside him, two younger boys grinned wide, their toothy, mischievous smiles brimming. My gaze caught on one face.

Damien .

And then, standing tall at the edge of the frame, a man with a dark complexion and hazel eyes froze me in place. A serpent tattoo coiled around his neck, nearly identical to Archer’s.

I lingered on his stare longer than I intended, a chill prickling my skin. There was darkness behind those smiles, a shadow I couldn’t ignore. Any warmth I’d felt in the room evaporated in an instant.

Damien had to live knowing what his father had done, and no one believed him. I felt for Kian being left alone in this grand home as his two brothers ventured off. I saw myself in him, but at least I had Knox. My family might have had secrets, but none like this. Nothing that made my skin crawl.

I quickly looked down, and Archer studied me. “My father is not here if that is what you are wondering.”

I turned on my heel, glancing between the two brothers. “I wasn’t,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest. “Well, are we going to enjoy this festival or not? Or was this dress for nothing?” I twirled once, showing off the slim-fitting gown. I had to admit Archer had good taste.

Kian snorted, softly punching his brother in the arm. “Archer does not partake in festivals. Good luck getting that hard ass even to smile.”

There were a few beats of silence. “Would you like to go?” Archer asked.

I shot a coy glance at Kian, who pressed his lips thin. “Yes,” I said. “I thought you’d never ask.”

Archer seemed annoyed, but I didn’t care. I wanted to soak in all that Ravensla had to offer. “Very well, but you’ll need more daggers on you.” Archer motioned with his eyes to the spiral staircase beside the living room.

“I think my flame is quite useful,” I said, following him through the home and into a room with armor, swords, and daggers hung on the walls. The air smelled of wood and musk, but mostly Archer, and maybe it was strange I could pick his scent apart.

“Did our fathers make barters? These are from North Colindale.” I recognized the iced base of two.

“Serpents are always making bids and barters. Having a few daggers doesn’t mean much,” Archer said. “Besides, your father doesn’t barter much these days.”

I couldn’t quite tell where the others were from—besides the red-handled sword, which matched the one I had earned off Callum during our match. He had referred to them as being crafted for the Forgotten Children a century before.

I asked, “What exactly do you plan to barter with him, or was that another lie?”

Archer reached for two matching black-tipped daggers.

The silver handles were etched with crescent moons.

“Your father’s land is full of diamonds.

He could have any Serpent at the reins if he wished.

Northern Colindale is one of the richest lands in Verdonia, and I hoped to make a deal with him.

” He grabbed two leather holders, kneeling as he cupped the back of my leg and raised it.

He changed the topic swiftly, eyes on me.

“Some say receiving a dagger from a Serpent is an honor.”

His bare hands skimmed my thighs, and I leaned into the touch. “What do they say about a Serpent kneeling before someone?” I asked.

Archer tightened his clasp of the leather sheaths, his pupils flaring beneath his dark lashes. “Na?ve.”

“Do you think you are na?ve?” I asked, and he rose two heads above me.

He considered my question. His one hand was still cupping my leg. “I think I lost all sense the moment Naraic bonded with you. I mean that in the nicest way possible. You do not wield to me. Being headstrong is a blessing. You will make a great Serpent. ”

“Damien says you will force me to step down and follow you.”

Archer glanced at the pendant on my neck. “Coming from the man who gave you a necklace to watch your every move.”

I looped the chain around my index finger. “Damien gave it to me in case I need help.”

Archer scoffed. “Help?”

I bit the inside of my cheek. “Damien means well. He cares about me.”

“If you insist on allowing a male to see and hear every breath that escapes you, then perhaps I was wrong about you.”

“Your protectiveness is not needed, especially not with my heart.”

“Your heart… does not beat for him.” A distraught gleam hinted in his eyes. “I do not wish to shatter your heart again with my words.”

He meant Klaus.

“Then who—who does it beat for? If not a man whose only words have been kind and certainly no lies have uttered from his lips.”

The sheer closeness of him caused my flame to spark.

“Damien was the one who caused Everett to fall. He wanted to test your quell. I am simply ensuring you understand what my brother is capable of.” His eyes froze on the glass pendant.

“He watches you through the glass. Think about it, Severyn. He can portal through mirrors. When I found you in the bath… he was watching you.” His jaw clenched, rage whirling in his eyes.

A shiver ran down my spine. He wouldn’t. “How do you know?”

“Antonia saw him. He used his quell to shield Everett’s mind, forcing him to fall. When I learned about Delair attacking you during Skyfall, I knew Damien had tainted her thoughts. She would never go against me and willingly attack you. You don’t understand the power of a mind reader.”

“He… watches me?” I ripped the pendant off my neck that suddenly seemed suffocating, throwing it across the room. It was glass… he could see through glass. He could see me.

“He watched me bathe ?”

“He brought you to the one bathroom that is full of mirrors. It’s disturbing if you ask me.”

“No,” I whispered. “That’s just—”

“How do you think he knew about our barter?”

“I figured he’d broken through your ward,” I said.

He got close, so close his breath touched my lips. “I should be insulted, but I’ll allow you to believe I am still your enemy because shattering your heart seems to dampen mine.”

Choking on shadows, I stayed silent for a beat. “Are you insinuating your heart beats for mine?”

“When I feel you in my veins miles away, I begin to believe so.”

I shook my head. “What happened to only knowing the other’s name?”

“I knew more than your name before you had ever heard of mine.” He sheathed another dagger into a holder, lifting the hem of my dress. “And I would have stayed suffering because I promised Klaus I would protect you.”

And I knew right then how much my brother meant to him. Did Archer know his last words?