Page 54

The pin split clean in my hand. A rush of heat tore through the room, and light burst from the open chest in waves.

It worked.

Gods, it actually worked.

And Hadrian’s voice echoed from the glow: “Today I became a Serpent. I promise the people of Wrathi I will make their lives better. I lay down my life for my realm…”

I groaned. “Of course it comes with a monologue,” I muttered. “I need something that mentions my mother and fast.”

Bridger grabbed another pin and held it out. “Winter?”

I reached for it—then froze. A figure leaned against Hadrian’s desk; arms crossed like he hadn’t just witnessed a near war crime.

“Destroying my father’s ports, are we?” Caius drawled.

I turned slowly. “Caius? It isn’t what it looks like.”

He stepped into the light, closer. “Up for that duel, Severyn? I’ve been looking for you.”

A chill crawled across my skin. “How long have you been standing there? ”

“Long enough.” His gaze swept over me like I was already a corpse. “Might want to close the hatch, unless you want to start a war between our families.”

“Caius, don’t. Don’t say anything.”

He tilted his head, grin twisting. “Beat me in the duel, and I’ll stay quiet.”

I stiffened. “I thought you said you don’t barter in duels.”

His voice dropped low. “I changed my mind.”

I met his gaze, testing. “I opened your father’s port. What does that mean to you?”

His face didn’t twitch. “And if I win, you stay silent. Don’t ask him what that means.”

There was something in his voice — hesitation, maybe even fear. He knew something. Something he wasn’t ready to admit.

I leveled him with a glare. “Your father’s a monster, Caius. What he does to the barren civilians, how can you live with that?”

Caius turned for the door. “Win the duel, Severyn,” he said, calm and final. “Or stay the hell away from my family.”

The door clicked shut behind him.

I exhaled shakily. “I think I got my answer.”

Bridger muttered behind me, his voice low and cynical. “The mudded blood isn’t so mudded after all. Makes sense. You were always repelled by ice... kind of cruel they placed you in Winter, if you think about it.”

My stomach turned. I gripped the banister as I stepped into the corridor, trying to steady the surge rising in my chest. “You wanted me to suffer,” I said, not bothering to look back. “I know I had it easier than most, but that doesn’t excuse what you did.”

He scoffed. “Get over it. It made you stronger.”

I stopped in my tracks, fury snapping through me. “You left me to die on the trails,” I said sharply. “Half-naked, might I add.”

“A minor setback to your greatness. ”

I turned on the last step, fire building in my lungs. “You may carry my father’s title, Bridger, but I will never respect you.”

I didn’t wait for a response. I stormed down the corridor, steps echoing against the stone. Behind me, his boots followed, unrelenting.

“I didn’t know how bad the food shortage was,” he called. “I never would’ve—”

I whirled around, the rage breaking loose.

“Never would’ve what?” I hissed. “I was the one traded into marriage to save the land. I was the one left bleeding and half-frozen after you ordered Callum to strike. You didn’t make me stronger. You broke me. And now you want to rewrite it all like you were some noble in the making?”

The color drained from his face.

“For my father’s sake, I won’t start a feud,” I said, voice cold. “But don’t mistake that for forgiveness. I am not your friend, Bridger. And I will never be your ally.”

He didn’t follow me, he just stood there. “I could still call in my bid,” he said. “You’re owed to me for the night.”

“My last hope was yours,” I snapped. “I don’t wish for your downfall, but if you speak to me like that again, I’ll rain flame and ash on your village.”

He scoffed. “You turn that quickly, huh?”

“I have a duel to win. Unless you’d rather explain why you were in that room with me.”

I didn’t wait for his response. I bolted into the courtyard, my heart pounding hard against my ribs.

The night air was thick with smoke and laughter, the scent of herbs curling through the breeze.

A dozen Serpents lounged near the dueling arena, their stances loose and careless, glassy eyes betraying the liquor and powder laced through their veins.

Beyond them, a cluster of barren civilians huddled near the wall, wide-eyed and trembling. Some of their faces I recognized—auctioned off like trinkets in that cursed bidding room.

That was all it took.

Rage surged beneath my skin, molten and merciless. My body burned with it, seething from the inside out.

Caius stood beneath the marble columns, already drawing a chorus of cheers, his arms spread as if he were owed the adoration. My steps faltered when I caught sight of Hadrian beside Archer, speaking too calmly for a scene like this. I could only assume he was still stalling.

Caius waved me forward with a smirk. “Come, Severyn. Let’s see how strong your flame really is.”

He raised both hands, summoning a twisting ribbon of sparks that cracked through the air and drew cheers from the crowd.

Fucking conceited asshole.

I stepped into the center, shoulders squared, while Caius gave an exaggerated bow. “No strikes to the face,” he said smoothly. “And stay off the grass. It’s fresh. If you insist on bleeding, do try to keep it off the furniture, most of it is white.”

“I want to add to my barter,” I said, ignoring his theatrics.

His smile faltered. “You’re in no position to make demands.”

I smiled slowly, lowering my voice. “Then I’ll confess right now and save us both the trouble of a duel.”

His patience seemed to thin. Smoke began to rise from his hands, a warning more than a threat, but the tension in his jaw said he was close to losing control. “Fine,” he said at last, voice clipped. “What do you want?”

“You need to release the barren civilians.”

He scoffed, the sound sharp and bitter, as though I’d asked for the sun. “Then here’s mine, stay away from my family. Stay out of Serpent gatherings. And never speak my father’s name again. ”

I crossed my arms, keeping my expression even. “You can’t banish me.”

Caius didn’t blink. “This is Wrathi. I could make sure no realm ever bargains with yours again.” His tone was smooth, practiced, but beneath it I heard the threat coiled tight, ready to strike.

Heat curled at my fingertips, refusing to fade. “Deal.”

I didn’t have a choice. I had to win. He saw it the moment the port opened. I was a stain on their golden legacy. Hadrian might not be my father in name, but the blood was there, undeniable. And odds were, he was.

“Ladies first,” Caius said, raising a hand in mock courtesy.

Flame surged through my chest, rising to my throat like a scream waiting to be released. Veravine’s final words echoed through my blood like a battle cry.

I would rise.

Dark flame snapped to life across my knuckles, curling with a heat laced in shadow.

I hurled it straight at his shoulder. The impact landed, but Caius didn’t flinch.

Not even a blink. His grin only sharpened as flame coiled in his palm, forming a whip.

It cracked through the air like lightning made flesh.

I felt the heat a second before it struck.

“Oh shit —” The words barely left me before pain tore across my ribs. The lash sliced through my gown like parchment, searing flesh beneath.

Air fled my lungs.

His hands burned brighter now, flame dancing along his fingers with lethal precision. The second strike came quicker. It caught me full-force, hurling me backward.

My spine met stone with a brutal slam. My vision splintered. But I was still breathing. Still burning.

Gritting my teeth, I forced my hands into position, refusing to let them shake. The crowd watched in silence, their stares sharp and hollow, as if I were a failed performance, a tired act that had already lost its thrill.

I pushed to my feet, breath ragged. Blood soaked the side of my gown, warm and seeping from beneath my ribs. I barely felt it. But holy realms, his flame was strong.

“Caius!” Hadrian’s voice rang out. “That’s enough.”

But the command only fed his fury. The third hit stole everything. My breath. My voice. My will to stand. I screamed—but no sound came.

On the sidelines, Lasar held Archer back, fingers clenched tight around his arms as he thrashed to break free.

“Let me the fuck go,” Archer growled, his voice raw with fury. “He’s taken it too far.”

From the crowd, a sneering voice cut through the smoke. “She’s a bastard child. Doesn’t even have a father.”

Another voice followed, colder. “Her mother killed my cousin… She deserves this. Well, her whole bloodline should burn for it.”

Archer lunged again, muscles straining. “Say that again,” he spat. “I dare you.”

But Lasar shoved him back with a curse. “You’ll only make it worse. You can’t help her if you’re dead, too.”

Pain throbbed through me, but I clung to the fire. I flung flame toward Caius’s throat, staggering to my feet. “I am the heir of Night.”

Caius choked, swiping at the scorch mark seared into his neck, his teeth bared in a snarl. “A pity heir. No wonder the man ended up in prison. You don’t even carry flame in both palms. Pathetic.”

He raised his ash whip.

The next strikes came hard and fast—across my neck, my back, my arms. Each one carved a line of fire through skin and fabric. I screamed, tasting blood in the back of my throat .

“My other gift is shadows,” I gasped, breath ragged. “But I’d rather beat you with flame.”

I hurled a chain of ash from my palm. It struck him clean, dragging him to his knees. My skin peeled in raw streaks. My ribs ached with every inhale. I lost count of the blows, but I didn’t fall.

With a grunt, he snapped my bindings and lunged. I hit the stone hard, pain blooming down my spine, but before he could climb over me, I grabbed his ankle.