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The point has been made, he snapped. She is not wrong. It is not an ideal choice. But it is the least foolish one.
You think I should do this, then? I whispered.
I believe you should live. If this will help you reach that end, then it is the most logical choice.
“What about Kage?” I asked, nodding towards my House Leader. “Has he had a say in this?”
Kage’s grandmother arched a silver brow. “My grandson is the future leader of this house. He will do whatever is necessary to protect it—and to protect you.”
“She’s right, Florence.” Kage leaned forward.
He had very nice eyes, I suddenly noticed. Dark pools of obsidian. Full of strength and intelligence. He was strong and stalwart, and he’d been kind to me, especially for a highblood. But I’d never thought of him in this sort of way—as my archon, as my betrothed. As someone to share my bed—because that’s what it would come down to eventually, wouldn’t it?
“You’d have my protection,” Kage continued. “Not just my name. You’d be under House Avari’s protection for as long as you lived. Not just you, your mother, too. No one would be able to harm either of you.”
I hesitated.
It will not be forever, Nyxaris said quietly. I have my own plan.
My heart sped up. To deal with Viktor?
Yes. All of this has gone on long enough. I did not return from the stone to become a pawn to highbloods—nor to have my rider become one herself. I will end him. But there are … complications.
What kind of complications?
A pause. The kind which would put you in more danger to know.
Dragons and their cryptic natures. I wanted to say no. I wanted to scream no.
“Yes,” I said. “I’ll do it.”
I walked back to our room in a daze. I’d knocked before even realizing I’d done it. Medra opened the door almost instantly. She wore a long loose blue tunic over black leggings, her hair now tied up in a messy knot, little curls popping out around her face. She looked amused.
“You live here, Florence. You don’t need to knock.”
“Right,” I said, my voice hollow.
She narrowed her eyes. “What happened?” She ushered me inside. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
I dropped onto the nearest object, which happened to be her bed, unable to answer right away.
“Florence?”
“There’s good news and bad news,” I said finally.
“Oh goody,” Medra muttered. “Go on.”
“The good news is—” I tried to make my voice bright and plastered a smile on my face “—there’s going to be another ball!”
Medra blinked suspiciously. “A ball? That’s the good news? Have you forgotten what happened after the last one?”
“Oh. Right.”
“And the bad news?”
I hesitated. “Well, the Avaris made a proposal.” I snuck a glance at her face. So far, so good.
“All right,” she said cautiously. “What kind of proposal?”
