Chapter 33
"What do you mean, 'a night'?" I asked, fingers pausing mid-air as if the words themselves might burn me.
A low chuckle rumbled in his throat. "I know... I heard you've lost your memory." He stepped closer, the scent of embers and aged parchment clinging to him. "We used to—though I know it's forbidden—spend nights together. Whole nights." His voice dropped to a whisper, rough as dragon scales. "Perhaps if we did again, you'd remember why we waited so long to marry."
The weight of his words pressed against my ribs. I forced a smile and let my hand settle on his shoulder, the embroidered threads of his coat rough under my fingertips. "The past is in the past," I said lightly, though my pulse betrayed me. "Besides, I don't intend to upset the Dragon Kingdom."
"Since when?" His grin sharpened. "That never stopped you before. And my power..." He traced a finger along the curve of my wrist, "...it won't awaken fully unless you marry me."
"What power—?"
"Well, well." Sey's voice sliced between us like a blade. I hadn't even heard him approach. His arm slid around my waist, possessive and effortless. "What do we have here?"
I exhaled through my nose. "You have the worst timing."
"Do I?" Sey's thumb brushed the dip of my hip, a silent challenge.
I stepped back, offering a smirk I didn't feel. "Excuse me."
The throne room's gilded doors loomed ahead, but before I could reach them, the air shimmered—my sister materialized in front of me, her smile a sickle moon.
"Sister." I sidestepped her, but she matched my movement, her shoulder knocking against mine.
"I see you've arranged for me to guard the border as a general." She tilted her head, the jewels in her braids catching the light.
"Why? Don't you fear I'll rally the troops against you?"
I paused, studying her—the way her fingers twitched toward the dagger at her thigh, the flicker of hunger in her gaze. "There'll be no kingdom left to rebel against if I don't find the flames," I said softly. "Your threats are the least of my problems. Unless you'd prefer to marry Yessie. Or his brother." A deliberate pause. "You'd make a lovely political pawn."
Her laugh was brittle. "I want Sey."
The words hung between us, heavy as a executioner's axe.
I blinked. "Pardon?"
"The Dragon King." She licked her lips. "I want him."
A cold ripple spread through my chest. "He isn't a prize to claim. And you're half-mortal—the court would tear itself apart."
"Just because the Phoenix chose you,"she hissed, "doesn't mean I'm worthless."
The truth of it stung. I turned away, my voice barely audible. "Then try. I won't stop you."
"How… generous."She stepped back, eyes gleaming. "You're different."
"Occupied," I corrected, already walking.
Arl fell into step beside me, his silence a comfort as we navigated the labyrinthine halls. The study door groaned open, revealing the familiar chaos of scrolls and star charts. I trailed a finger through the dust on the desk—proof of how little I'd been here.
"The marriage alliances?"Arl ventured.
"A distraction." I unrolled a map, the edges frayed from use. "I need more kingdoms behind me if I'm to hunt the flames properly. But every lead..."My fist clenched.
"Nothing."
Night draped itself over the palace like a shroud. Arl lingered as I dismissed the servants, his shadow stretching long across the floor.
"From Sey." He extended a letter, the wax seal gleaming blood-red.
I broke it with a thumbnail, scanning the lines—flames, secrets, a meeting. My stomach twisted. "How much does he know?"
"You'll have to ask him."Arl's voice was gentle. "Are you going?"
The parchment trembled in my hands. "I can't avoid him forever."
"For what it's worth," he murmured, "I didn't tell him."
I met his gaze. "It was inevitable. And Arl?" A deep breath. "My name. It's Liala."
His smile was a quiet sunrise. "I've served 'Arora' for years. She never thanked me for bringing her tea."
The knot in my chest loosened. "Then thank you. For everything." I nodded toward the door. "Rest. I'll handle Sey."
He bowed, the gesture laced with something like loyalty.
The corridor to Sey's chambers stretched endlessly, each torch flickering as if holding its breath. My hand hovered over the door—
—only for Yassie to wrench me sideways, into the dark of his room. The door slammed, his breath hot on my neck.
God. I shut my eyes. Just let me vanish.