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My bloodline was pure. I was practically a goddess. Not far off from the Bloodmaiden herself, bless her blood. I was a legend in the halls of Bloodwing. Everyone looked up to me. I could do anything, get away with anything. So I could do this.

Still, legend or not, I’d trade every whispered compliment for one letter from my father telling me that my little brother was safe and home again.

The room was quiet, save for the ticking of a rectangular metal clock on the mantle. It was ugly and repulsive, the front glass over the face cracked as if someone had dropped it yet decided throwing it away would be too merciful. It wasn’t to my taste, but no one cared about my taste. Not today. Certainly not in this room.

I forced myself to look towards the door when it opened, a small smile I hoped would look coy already forming on my face. I already knew who it was. A chill seemed to always enter with him, like death chasing at his heels. Was it waiting for him? Or for me?

He began speaking as if resuming a conversation we’d been having all along. “The reopening schedule has been finalized. Students have been arriving all day. Staff have been informed of what to say.” He looked at me as if I didn’t know all of this already, and I nodded dutifully. He resumed. “The Dragon Court is a mess. As of today, it’s officially off-limits to students. Notices are being posted. No one needs to know the details of why.”

“But it’s an access point,” I noted. “And many windows overlook it …”

He waved his hand. “They’ll take the long way around or walk outside. What do we care? You may cross it if you wish. Though, you’re liable to break your neck if you try. Stones are strewn everywhere. It will take weeks to clean up.”

I nodded again. It didn’t really matter. I knew why he wanted to keep people away.

He moved closer. The scarlet velvet robe he wore dragged along the floor. He wore it long. I think he believed it made him look taller. Bigger. More imposing. Men were such fools.

Besides, Viktor didn’t need a robe to look imposing. He was fucking terrifying with or without it.

“They’ll fall in line,” he said.

I lifted my chin. “Of course they will. We’ll see to that.”

We. We were a pair now. No more triads. No more sharing. So why wasn’t I filled with joy?

“So efficient,” he murmured appreciatively, eyeing the scanty gown I wore. “We’ll use the outer courtyard tomorrow for the assembly. You’ll make a wonderful first impression.”

I looked down at my lap, smiling slightly, trying to appear modest. “I’ll try. There must be unity. Especially now.”

“I value our unity greatly,” he said. I didn’t have to raise my head to know he was making an effort to smile. I held back a shudder. “You must be eager to step into your new role,” he added.

“You’ve honored me. Elevated me. I won’t fail you,” I responded.

“Of course you won’t. You wouldn’t dare.” The words were light. But my stomach churned.

“House Mortis has been beheaded. What could Catherine have been thinking to disappear like that? Pure political suicide.” He chuckled. Many things about the events of the last few days had made him furious, but not this—this was a delight. A rare opportunity.

“Catherine’s absence leaves Mortis vulnerable,” I agreed. I knew he would not wish to discuss where Catherine had gone. Or who had gone with her.

“She trained her house well. You’ll find them an advantage waiting to be taken.”

I’d already determined that for myself. Catherine had always cultivated sly cruelty amongst her most favored. With her gone, they’d be a lost flock of mean little sheep—looking for someone to follow, someone to lead.

Someone like me.

He moved again. Closer to the bed. I could see him now in my periphery, just the edge of his silhouette. “I permitted Blake to complete the Rite of Dissolution,” he said. “I might have opposed it.”

My breath hitched. I tried not to let it show. In and out. In and out.

Blake. He’d chosen that blightborn girl over the betrothal our parents had spent years arranging.

“I was ecstatic,” Viktor murmured. “Could you tell?”

I licked my lips slowly. “No, Lord Drakharrow.”

“Please. Dispense with the formalities.”

I forced my head up, made myself look at him—really look. “I had no idea, Viktor. Or I would have been much happier in that moment,” I lied.