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It had been years since she had seen her sister look so happy.

Furthermore, Vega was normally painfully reserved—yet here, with Sia, she was a rose in full bloom.

Valus fingers slowly clenched around her arm, pulling her attention to him. His eyes radiated a deep, simmering fury and it made her want to be as far from him as possible. Then his gaze swept down her body with chilling scrutiny, the air around him seemed to freeze.

“Hello, kitten.”

Peri’s nose crinkled. “Your choice of pet name is delightful.”

“It’s cute, don’t you think?” He hummed. His eyes followed her every movement. Was he intentionally unnerving her or was it just his way?

She took a deliberate sip of her chai, contemplating a neutral response. “If you like it, then I’m sure it is.”

It had been a long time since she had shared breakfast with her family. She glanced around the room at the faces she was likely to see much more often now that she could no longer attend the Academy.

She tried hard not to think about the Academy, but sometimes she just could not reign her thoughts in. A stab of melancholy struck at the memory of grabbing steaming cinnamon buns sold by a gremlin outside the wildflower fields. The cheerful coral libraries, a bright backdrop while she went over her notes before her next lecture. When she was younger her mornings had been spent with Brenn, at the end of her time there she’d found herself meeting with Oleander to exchange notes or just chat.

Her eyes fixed on her chai as her emotions churned. The table before her was laden with an array of fried meats, eggs doused in fresh herbs and salsa, and fruits cut into delicate flower shapes. Hoping to distract herself, she piled her plate high, but from the corner of her eye, she saw Valus lean forward, drawing so close that his breath brushed her skin.

“Your family told me you’re starting the Religious Courses so you can be my perfect mate,” he said. “I’ll walk you there today,”

Peri chewed slowly, her mind racing for a response that wouldn’t ignite his anger. “I typically walk alone. I like to make sure my mind and heart are open and ready to receive the message.”

His voice dropped, the growl unmistakable. “You’re my future mate. You should be desperate for more time with me.”

Peri forced a weak smile and nodded, the last thing she wanted was to openly provoke his ire any further.

Across the table, her father turned toward her. “When shall we have our next family game night? Sia’s been the reigning Calypso champion for too long.”

Sia turned from Vega, with a laughing scoff. “As if you could ever beat me.”

Takar’s eyes twinkled mischievously, and for a moment, Peri wished she could forget everything that had happened. She wanted to sink into the cheerful banter… to remember how she used to laugh along with them.

“We’ll see about that,” he said. “Peri? Got any time to help me take down your sister?”

“I’m pretty sure the rule has always been no allies,” her mother said.

Peri blew out a breath and hopefully gave a convincing smile. “I’m sure I can find some time.”

Rocco, who was sitting as far from Sia as possible, cleared his throat. “You need to ask me if Sia has the time to visit.” He pinned Sia with a hard look. “I will be sure to let you know when she does.”

Next to her, Sia stiffened and Peri reached under the table, grabbing her sister’s hand in solidarity. Only, her eyes caught on something else. Something so unexpected, it took great effort not to let the shock of it show on her face.

Vega held Sia's other hand, their fingers interlaced as Vega's thumb traced slow, soothing circles across her skin.

She forced her gaze back onto her parents and for the first time Peri saw her mother’s façade crack for the merest whiff of a moment—but it was enough. Apphia quickly replaced her disappointment with a wide, practiced smile. “Of course! We wouldn’t want to infringe on your time together.”

Sia pulled her hand from Peri’s and even though it trembled, she moved to continue eating. Her left hand, though, was still being held by Vega though neither acknowledged it.

Her father cleared his throat, then turned back to Peri. “Are you ready for your first day of Religious Courses?”

“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?”

Takar beamed at her, and Apphia raised her eyebrows in silent approval, a gesture that spoke volumes: See? We’ve corrected her in time.

Peri pretended not to see it as she drained her chai entirely. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Valus’s hand moving towards her throat. It was nonsensical for him to touch her there, and disbelief coursed through her as his fingers drew ever closer. She should have leaned away, but found she couldn’t. Horror had frozen her in place. Why would Valus try to so openly touch her this way in front of her whole family? He knew they expected her to be chaste and strictly pure until they were mated.

Then something even more unexpected happened and the serpent that normally remained deadly still on her neck… moved.