In six hundred years, I’ve never met a more infuriating woman. Fire indeed.
A small laugh escapes me before I can stop it. I glance at the bed, but Keiren is still fast asleep.
598 A.C.
She survived—no,won—the first Trial. No one has done that in a very long time. But instead of bringing her back to the castle, the portal took her to the lake in the Forest of Monsters. I had to send the dragon to retrieve her.
Summer, 598 A.C.
I nearly lost her again tonight. I had no choice but to bring her to my chambers and put her in the healing pool. My heart broke as she shivered against me while the fireroot did its worst. I can’t lose her. I need her. I am in love with her.
Tears blur the ink. I glance at him again—his face peaceful in sleep. My heart swells. Then my eyes catch the next entry.
Fall, 598 A.C.
She’s taken Cassy’s death hard. I can’t protect her if she refuses to train. The beast within grows stronger. And although I know the dragon is as in love with her as I am, if this curse isn’t broken before the next Bloodmoon… I cannot bear to even think what will become of us.
598 A.C.
She gave her name to the dragon. Not me. And now it’s all I can hear.Selene. Selene. Selene. Iwant to whisper it into her hair, into her skin, into the fire of her soul. But I can’t. Because I don’t deserve it. Not yet.
The dragon told him my name. Even though he promised he wouldn’t.
598 A.C.
Tonight, I took her to see her sister.
My breath catches.I took her?Surely, he means the dragon. I flip the page.
598 A.C.
It took everything in me not to burn that house to ash, even with her sister inside. After the final Trial—after we are wed—the first thing I will do is burn that city and everyone who ever hurt her.
I will burn them all.
The ink blurs as my vision swims. I slam the book shut, breath ragged.
Those words—I will burn them all.
A low rumble behind me makes me gasp. I turn sharply.
“Selene?”
Keiren’s steps into the firelight, eyes heavy with worry.
“Don’t,” I breathe, lifting the journal like a blade.
He freezes, gaze flicking to the book. “Please—let me explain.”
“Are you the dragon?” The words tear from my mouth.
His brow furrows. “Selene, please—”
“Answer me!” My voice cracks, echoing off the stone walls.
The truth crashes over me like a tidal wave. His eyes shifting from blue to gold. The way he always knew where I was, the searing heat of his skin. The reason he could never go beyond the kingswood—at least, not in human form.
Oh, stars—the dragon advising me to reconcile with him. Was any of it real? Or just a masterful manipulation to ensure I survive long enough to fall for him and break the curse?
