THE MIDSEMESTER TESTSthe next day leave me drinking far too much caffeine, and I can’t close my eyes without imagining decks of cards popping into my head. Somehow, I survive each handwritten test, multiple choice question, and practical, the last of which I have only Draven and his private lessons to thank for. Not that I would ever give him the satisfaction of telling him that.
After I finish our last test, I linger to await my friends. Amaya and Cleona are the first to join me. Amaya has been beaming about the Hollow Fest party all day, held at Death’s Hearth, her black hair chopped short for the occasion, the jagged edgescut with a razor, and like the rest of the Death Arcanas, she’s covered in makeup that gives her the appearance of a skeleton.
“I can’t wait to see you tonight! Don’t forget to wear a mask, and at the thirteenth hour make sure you’ve found a soul to collect!” She nudges me with her elbow, making a kissy-face, but then her voice drops. “Are you finally going to introduce us to Draven?”
I scratch at my high collar; the bite Draven left is merely a scar thanks to the increased healing speed of this changeling body, but I’ve felt hot and bothered by the thought of him all day. He’s been annoyingly absent, possibly taking his exams in private.
Cleona’s eyes glue to my neck and she puts a hand over her mouth, hiding a grin. “Well, if you’ve claimed each other, you must’ve accepted the fated mating bond, right?”
Ember approaches us, worry bunched in the arc of her brows. “I went through every test twice but … wait … what is that?” She takes a deep inhale through her nose, focus flashing to me. “You smell … amazing?”
Amaya and Cleona dissolve into laughter, leaving Ember looking confused.
“Um … yes, it’s true. Draven and I … are claimed. I’ll bring him tonight.” I don’t know how long we play this out before it turns to engagements, wedding plans, and so on. The choice to stay at his side or leave him to rule alone feels far from me, especially as we still have not found any of the fabled objects or a sure location for my mother or brother yet.
“Finally!” Ember links her arm through mine, more excited than I’ve ever seen, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
“Good, you’re done, too.” Kasper approaches us from behind, doing a double take in my direction, and I swear I feel some claws on my mental shields, before he looks to my neck,rolling his eyes. He’s been cold since Morgan’s disappearance. Frankly, every time I look at him my fury sparks, knowing he left me with a wolf and seemingly hasn’t cared since, blaming me for Morgan’s actions. He leads Ember off, the two talking in low, intimate voices.
“We’ll see you and your date tonight.” Amaya gives me a wink, linking her hand with Cleona’s and I nod, heading off to my Hearth.
“Rune!” Wynter hurries after me, chasing me out of the study hall. He swallows, gaze scattering everywhere but my eyes as he catches up to me. His brows furrow, focusing on my hair. “I keep meaning to say that I like what you’ve done.” He gasps for a stronger breath, meeting my eyes finally. “Are you going with anyone tonight?”
The silver in that gaze is so bright, hopeful. Draven’s words hit me again,this is the cost.Wynter is someone I could be happy with.
But I didn’t come here for happiness. I came here for justice. And vengeance.
At Draven’s side I’ll get both.
But there’s more to it than that, and my interest in Wynter has faded under the heat of being with Draven. Even if it’s pretend on his part. I lift my chin.
“Yes. I’m going with the prince.” Meeting Wynter’s gaze feels impossible, but I manage it and watch the sad acceptance pass through his eyes before he hitches a brave smile to his lips.
“Oh, well, I hope you have a good time.” I think he means it. He takes a deep breath and I note the flush creep up his face, as if he just smelled the lie we’ve planted, drinking it up as truth. He nods to me, face heated. “I’ll see you both there.”
I nod and force myself to leave. Why is there a stone suddenly in my gut? Shoving thoughts of him aside I turn toward myHearth, hurrying off, the cool autumn breeze blowing through my curly hair.
As I walk up the steps, Magda’s marching out of it, looking irritable. Stepping aside for her to pass, I break her constant muttering with, “I haven’t seen you in a while—”
“He isonone tonight!” Her hair’s frizzled, though I notice she’s gripping another spying crystal in her fist. She takes a deep breath as we stand in each other’s presence, and I can spot the understanding clicking in her mind. Her lips quirk a bit. “Watch yourself, girl.”
I lift my chin, knowing those bite marks are even more visible as I do it, and slip inside. Draven’s door is open, and the sounds of him clanging around his room filter out. I move toward the door, leaning against the jamb, watching as he packs a suitcase, his back to me.
He stiffens before I can say a word, turning to me.
“I think Magda got what she was looking for,” I say with a grin and he gives me a cocky smile as he takes in my neck, my lips. “Even if she couldn’t plant any crystals today. How did your exams go?”
“Fine. Despite someone’s distracting thoughts pressing against mine all day.” He gives me an arrogant, knowing look as he takes me in. “And you?”
I check my nails, clenching my jaw a little to bite back what being this close to him threatens to unravel in me. “I know how to stay focused.” Even if that claim has chafed through me all day. I change subjects, because I’ll be damned if I admit to it. “So, Alfheim? What are we being sent there for again?”
“To pick up some dark zenith crystal. They recently discovered it was in a toxic drake’s lair.” He acts as if it’s a boring task but my attention snags, alarm bells ringing.
“A toxic what now?” I can’t help but notice he failed to mentionthatpart before.
“A drake. Large, dangerous, usually rows of sharp teeth. There’re a few kinds; this one is one of the worst of the breeds.” He gets lost comparing jackets for a moment, but I’m not sure how he can possibly be thinking about that when my skin prickles, every fable I’ve ever read about mythic beasts playing out in my head.
My heart slams into my ribs, looking for escape. “You’re taking me to fight a dragon?”
