Page 61

After the trial, I sat on my bed for the last hour, waiting for the headmaster to barge in and demand how Knox was still breathing. But it was only Malachi.

There were a few beats of silence between us as she sat on the end of my bed, crossing her legs. “I guess we should talk,” she began.

“How long have you known?” I met her eyes from across the bed.

She didn’t hesitate. “Since we got those letters.”

“You’ve known for that long?”

“It told me two students were up for my title, and it was easy to narrow it down to Knox and you. After we quell-shared, I was sure of it. Monty pieced it together first. He plans to kill you. He hoped Knox would do it.”

“All my life, I had no idea,” I whispered. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“And perhaps that’s how it should have been.” Malachi shook her head. “My life is sad. But we are blood, Severyn. You are my family, and perhaps I enjoyed knowing I had one. Your mother’s letters were so sweet, and I couldn’t disappoint her.”

“Right, bonding with her dragon should have been a dead giveaway.” I pressed a finger to my temple. “What happens next? The people of Verdonia will not take lightly finding out there is a whole other bloodline set for the throne.”

“Do you want the throne?” she asked.

I never had time to process the weight of her question. I hardly saw myself as ever being a Serpent, let alone ruling over the Continent. I slowly shook my head. “I don’t see myself as ever being someone great.”

“I spent my entire life being told what to do, what to wear, who I shall marry. I envy you. I truly do. For you to walk in and decide you do not want a title as callously as discussing the weather makes me angry for some reason. All five of my siblings never returned home from the academy. I’ve lost everyone I know.

I swore that wouldn’t be me. I made a promise to survive. ”

“I know. And that’s why you deserve the title,” I said quietly. “This isn’t my life, Malachi.”

“It isn’t that simple, Severyn. Nothing ever is.

Knox was compelled to kill us both, which means someone else knows.

Monty can’t compel. Someone knows, and they will do everything to pin us against each other.

I don’t want to die. If something happens to me, I want you to claim what is rightfully yours. ”

My head began to whirl. “Who could be strong enough to compel a student?”

“A professor, maybe. It doesn’t matter who. It means that someone strong enough wants the Herring bloodline out of power. ”

“Malachi, we need to trust each other. I can’t sleep here, not knowing if you will double-cross me the second I close my eyes.”

Tears welled in her amber eyes. “I don’t have much family left, Severyn. Once my grandfather goes, I will have nothing besides my father. I don’t have it in me to lose you… and Knox. Blood is stronger than power, Sev. Nothing is chance.”

I wrapped my arms around her neck, and perhaps I was na?ve for believing Malachi Herring could be an alliance, but I’d rather die knowing I thought there was some good in this cruel world. All I saw before me was a shattered girl who had lived a million lives beside her own.

“Then I shall trust you with my life, Malachi,” I whispered. “I’m going to need every ounce of hope at the Bid.”

She sobbed into my shoulder. “We will survive, Sev. Us against the crown of thieving heirs.”

Archer and Ciaran flew away the following day for a Serpent gathering. The lanterns in the room were already lit, and Malachi had left for the day.

She might have left in the night.

“ Six students were killed yesterday. I’ll be gone for a few days. Sharpen your daggers and train more,” was all Archer had said through our faint rider’s bond.

“Where are you?”

He took nearly two hours to respond, “Capital.”

The bond went cold with the echo of my response: “Stay safe.” I knew it didn’t reach him.

Damien waited by my door, giving me a shallow nod as he heard my screaming thoughts. The walk to warding class was nothing but deafening silence between us. I couldn’t hide my anxiety today, not with the Serpent Bid only days away.

Damien pressed a thumb against his temple. “Sev, you’re very loud today. I’m worried you’ll burst a blood vessel.”

I scoffed. “It’s my mind, and I have a lot on it right now.”

“I can tell,” he muttered.

“I’m still mad at you. Lucky for you, Knox seems to be more of an asshole.”

“You can’t blame me for being curious. I already paid for that mistake by breaking my back.”

Damien didn’t understand the full effects of his actions—how saving Everett had led to Knox confessing to the king about my forbidden quell. And no matter how many times I screamed my reasoning in my mind, all I got was a shrug of annoyance along my shield.

We entered the grand hall, and I nearly slammed into Damien, grabbing his shoulders to shield myself from the man standing in a military suit.

“Shit, why is my brother here?” I gasped.

“It’s never a good sign when Malvoria visits,” Damien muttered. “It means they’re hauling students who haven’t performed well enough before the Bid—mostly first-years, but they take the odd second and third-year too.”

Charles stood with his arms crossed, dusting a speck off his navy-blue suit. In his hand was a scroll, presumably filled with the names of students bound for the Malvoria.

Damien caught my wrist as I stepped forward. “His mind is clouded. I can’t see it clearly.”

“I’ll meet you at warding,” I whispered.

Charles’s golden eyes caught mine. No smile curved his lips. Instead, he motioned at me with a curl of his fingers .

“I’ll stay with you,” Damien said, though I wasn’t sure if he’d spoken aloud or in my mind because I was too distracted by Charles.

His haircut was sharper than the last time I’d seen him. I smiled tentatively, fingers crossed behind my back. “Hello, Charles.”

“Good morning, Severyn,” he said with a curt nod. His gaze flicked to Damien. “This must be Damien Lynch. Your father speaks very highly of you,” he said. “He stopped by Malvoria for a visit.”

Damien shook Charles’s hand, smiling like he’d just been handed a medal. “I’ve heard great things about you, sir.”

Of course, Damien knew about Charles. He’d seen every moment, every unwarded thought that crossed my mind.

Charles glanced at the scroll. “I heard you won Skyfall, Severyn. You will do great at the Bid.” His breath hitched slightly, his hesitation barely noticeable. “I’m proud of you. I’ve put in a good word with the warden if Damien takes the vacant Summer title in Ravensla.”

I wondered how long he’d known I’d moved to Summer—if he kept an eye on the roster every odd day to ensure I hadn’t been killed.

“Do you need help finding the students?” I asked, letting the venom lace my voice. I wanted him to see my clenched fists, to know how barbaric this all was. I forced my flame down, cooling it with a mist of shadow.

Charles rolled his shoulders back. “You know I don’t have a choice.

The academy has no place for lesser performers.

Malvoria will teach them what they’re missing and turn them into great guards.

Not everyone is born to lead,” he said, his tone mechanical, rehearsed.

“It’s three years. It goes by fast, and the students are well-fed and housed.

We aren’t torturing them. All we ask is that they guard their Continent. ”

If they don’t die first. I knew Verdonia needed protectors, but conscription was unjust, especially for students who refused to kill their peers in a trial.

“Is there anything else you need from me?” I asked, my voice strained.

Charles glanced at Damien. “May I have a few moments alone with Severyn?”

Damien’s gaze hardened before he reluctantly walked away.

Charles skimmed his scroll. “There is one student. She was in Winter with you. Myla Reinhart. She’s been pulled from the academy.”

My heart dropped. “How is that possible? Myla has two swords and excels in warding.”

A scowl crossed his face. “Not that it’s your concern, but the academy doesn’t feel she’s suited for Winter.

Better to pull her now than let her fail—or die.

Her father was a lesser-known Serpent from a minor Winter realm.

She has no true connection to her calling.

At least after her term at Malvoria, she can return to Ravensla. ”

I seethed, my feet feeling molten against the stone floor. “Let me guess—Bridger Thorne said that. He’s the third-year mentor for Winter. He knows Myla is performing well, and he’s forcing her out.”

“That isn’t up to me. Your mentor and Serpent have full authority over your continuation here.” He glanced toward where Damien had gone. “By the way, who is your Serpent? I didn’t see your name on Saani’s list.”

“Archer Lynch,” I said softly.

His golden eyes widened in surprise. “Both Lynches? That’s a tough one.

I don’t understand why the Night Serpent chose you.

” He dragged his fingers over the scroll.

“Sev, you need to stay on the edge. Don’t draw attention.

Win as many swords as you can. The lynches don’t have a great history with our family.

” His voice lowered. “Father owes Victor a barter.”

Charles was clueless. I wasn’t just making waves at the academy. I was a tsunami, pulling the tide into my grasp before hellfire rained down. He only needed to glance at the dozen charred trees along the combat field.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Our parents attended the academy together. Some things don’t heal with time. Mother and Victor were against each other for the same title. The barter Father made isn’t something I can share.”

I stared at my eldest brother. “I’m not a child, Charles.”

“You’re right. You’re not a child. But I’m still your brother, and like the wards I’m under, they’re meant to protect you.”

I crossed my arms. “I understand.”

He nodded. “Anyway, have you seen Myla Reinhart? Bridger said you two were close. I thought you’d want to say goodbye.”