The words hit like a slap.
Only Tae knew the truth of my bloodline, the fallen house on my mother’s fae side, buried under dust and silence.
And even that truth felt distant, forgotten. Like it belonged to someone else.
I was alone. A girl with half-blood and too many scars.
“You think a title makes you untouchable?” I bit out, stepping forward, my voice shaking with fury. “You can drape yourself in silks and jewels, but underneath all that… you’re still just a spoiled brat who’s never had to bleed for anything in her life.”
Inderia arched a brow, her lips curving into a delighted smirk.
“Oh, darling,” she purred. “Now that’s the temper I expected from gutter blood.”
Her calm only made it worse.
My hands clenched at my sides, teeth grinding.
“Leave,” I said, voice low and lethal.
Inderia lifted her chin, about to retort?—
But then the ground seemed to vibrate with a low, building sound.
A growl.
I turned my head just enough to see Kaelith still standing in the Ascension Grounds across the courtyard. Her eyes were fixed on us, slitted and glowing.
Her body was coiled, tail twitching.
The growl deepened, curling through the air like thunder, and the guards, the attendants, even passing nobles moved quickly out of her radius.
Inderia paled.
She stepped back, one delicate hand fluttering up to her throat.
“You can’t hide behind that beast forever,” she whispered, but there was no strength in it now.
“Leave,” I said again, and this time, she did.
Kaelith’s growl eased, but her eyes stayed on me.
And for the first time since I’d walked away from Zander… I didn’t feel quite so alone.
Kaelith was still watching the garden entrance when I approached her—her massive form motionless, save for the slow flick of her tail against the stone. Her scales shimmered like polished amethyst in the sunlight, but there was nothing serene about her.
Her head swung down to meet me as I walked up, her molten-gold eyes narrowed.
I should have flame-broiled her, she growled in my mind, her tone flat and deeply offended.Slowly. Starting with her ridiculous hair.
I let out a soft breath, already reaching for her saddle straps. “Kaelith…”
I would’ve given her time to scream, she added thoughtfully.Turned her silk dress into ash, one frill at a time. Perhaps scorched her name from her family tree while I was at it.
I couldn’t help it—despite everything, I snorted.
“You’ve been rehearsing that in your mind all day, haven’t you?” I asked, unbuckling the second strap and pulling the saddle free. I placed it on a nearby rail.
I find planning her death oddly soothing, Kaelith admitted.Better than watching you fall apart.
