“She wanted to take this away from me.”
“The shop?”
Kryth nodded. “She hated the idea of me becoming minister. She said it would corrupt my mind, like it corrupted all ministers before me.”
“She had a point,” Iskra muttered under her breath, and Kryth didn’t seem impressed by her as he snapped his attention away from the opaque glass bottles.
“My sister didn’t understand the importance of my role, and the Gods cursed her for it,” Kryth explained. “Why would I have interfered with their judgement?”
Iskra shivered at his words. There was no remorse in the way he spoke. Kryth truly believed his sister—Bron’s mother—deserved her death.
“Have the Gods even shown you who wins?”
“My job as minister is to ensure I get a dragon in that cave with the Heart.”
“What good is having those Sight powers then?”
“They’re a guide. They beckon me to pick the right dragon for that year. Like you.” He pointed the pipe at her. “I felt compelled to pick you this year. Perhaps it was to give Jasyn someone to fuck before he dies like his siblings.” Iskra growled, and Kryth smirked. “I see those creaturely urges want to come out.”
“Don’t provoke me.”
Clearly, he would be doing the exact opposite. “Too bad you won’t be able to say your goodbyes. He returns from his travels the night before the Undertaking. I’ll already be transferring you to the cave by then.”
Iskra closed her eyes. Every day, she wanted to apologize to him, to run to the castle, get on her knees, and explain it all. It was better he didn’t know the full truth, though.
“Will you pass a letter to him if he comes out alive?” she asked.
He grabbed her chin. “For you, my Iskra, I will.”
Jasyn had his hands folded in his lap, looking out the carriage window. The last few days had been a performance. He had to act like he was joyful at the prospect of marrying Lady Esi in front of her family. He had to act like he wasn’t terrified of the Undertaking tomorrow. Hardest of all, he had to act like his heart hadn’t been ripped out and that he didn’t miss Iskra. It was foolish to even allow his mind to wander to her. His future wife was in front of him. He would marry her and be loyal to her while Esi could do whatever she pleased. It was a promise he’d made to himself. A sacrifice owed in honor of his dead siblings.
“Can this move any faster?” Esi hit the roof of the carriage, as if that would quicken the pace.
“What is the rush?” he snapped, and he hated that he sounded so harsh. He was angry she was the one who came up with the plan to have Iskra switch places with her, but he didn’t blame her. It wasn’t like she had much of a choice in their engagement. It was the reason he took this trip with her, to show his dedication and give her one last chance to back out. Right before they left her parents’ home, he went down on one knee and proposed. She said yes, but even then, he knew her heart was set on another.
Was that why she was in a rush? Perhaps Esi and Dominik had a midnight rendezvous planned.
“If we go any faster, we’ll crash into the trees,” Bron grumbled.
“I’ll save you if we do.” Mych smiled in response.
Bron side-eyed Mych and shook his head in exasperation. Mych didn’t seem deterred.
“Cheer up.” Mych tapped Bron’s foot with his own. “Once the Undertaking is over, we’ll officially be working together. Isn’t that an exciting prospect?”
Jasyn chuckled, if only to add some warmth to the chilly carriage.
“Are you confident your prince will even win?”
Mych crossed his arms, and for some reason, Jasyn anxiously anticipated his answer. It was rare for someone to openly talk about the possibility of Jasyn losing—or worse, dying. Too many people tried to push optimism. Jasyn needed reality.
“Jasyn is beyond equipped to win tomorrow.”
Bron stared down Jasyn intensely, and it caused a pit in his stomach. Something was off about him.
“We’ll see once tomorrow comes and Jasyn is faced with the dangers and twists of the Undertaking.” Bron smiled at him.
“We’re close!” Esi exclaimed as she clapped her hands.
