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“Is Viktor still hurting you?”

The words landed like a slap. I stiffened. “How dare you.”

“How dare I? Your archon—” he said the word with disdain “—fled from a dragon’s presence, leaving you unprotected and exposed. Did he apologize when you returned to him that night?”

I trembled. “You have no right to ask me that.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ll take that as a no. No, I doubt Viktor apologized. And if you dared to ask him why he fled, if you called him a coward and asked him why he hadn’t treated you as you deserved, as a consort should be treated—treasured and protected—then, I’m sure he met your accusations with cruelty. Tell me I’m wrong, Regan. Tell me there aren’t still bruises underneath that highcollared dress you’re wearing.”

He moved a hand as if to touch me, and I flinched. “I don’t see how it’s any of your business, Avari,” I hissed, taking one step back. “Why do you even care?”

Kage didn’t back off. “Someone has to.”

I threw my head back and laughed. “Oh, come off it. You don’t get to stand there and pretend this is about concern. Highbloods aren’t taught to care. We’re taught to conquer, to exploit each other’s weaknesses. You shouldn’t be caring, you should be gloating.” My lips twisted. “And maybe beneath that calm front, you’re doing exactly that.”

“Is that what you think?” Kage’s eyes were calm and composed.

“I think if you were a true Avari, you’d be on your knees thanking the Bloodmaiden that I’ve fallen. That Viktor’s broken me.”

Kage’s eyes narrowed. “Is that what he’s done? Funny, I don’t see it.”

I turned away from him and stared out at the roiling sea. I shouldn’t be here. I should be walking away. If Viktor could see me now, speaking to an Avari—to Kage Tanaka, of all people—he’d kill me. Kill us both. But I didn’t walk away. I stayed.

Kage was quiet for a minute. Then, “I’m not pretending. I’m not gloating.”

“Then, you’re lying.” The wind tugged at my hair again. I’d had enough. I reached my hands up, pulling out the pins that held my braid and letting it fall behind my back. “Or worse—you’re pitying me.”

“Would that be worse? To know someone cared enough to have pity?”

“I’m not worth your pity.” The words were out before I could stop them.

He shook his head slowly, jaw tightening. “You’re being hurt by someone older, stronger, and far more powerful than you. No one’s stopping him. No one’s even trying, not even your family. Do they know, Regan? Have you told your father?”

I took a gulping breath, trying to hold back the sobs that threatened. I lifted my chin. “Of course not. There’d be no point. Father arranged the match, and it’s a fine one.” I paused. “Besides, my little brother … Persis is being held somewhere as leverage against my family. He’s only eight. He’s basically a captive.” I swallowed, thinking of what had happened to Blake’s little sister, Aenia. She’d always been … different. But she’d been family. I’d watched her grow. She and Persis had played together; they’d been friends. I’d thought one day they’d attend Bloodwing together. Only now … Aenia was gone.

That wasn’t happening to Persis. Not to my brother.

“Why would Viktor take Persis when you’d already agreed to be his consort?”

I laughed. “Compliance. To ensure the honor of the Drakharrow house. Because he can do whatever he likes, Kage. He told my father this was once a highblood custom.”

“It was. But the children weren’t hostages, they were exchanged to forge bonds between families,” Kage said shortly.

“A scholar of history, are we?” I could hear the teasing tone in my voice. What was happening here?

He shrugged. “I like to read.”

“Anyhow, Amina—Professor Hassan, I mean—knew about Persis. She tried to help me. And you can see how that turned out.”

Kage stared. “Professor Hassan? Why would she do that?”

“She was my tutor when I was a child. She lived with my family for years. She was there when Persis was born. Even when she became a faculty member at Bloodwing, Amina would come back for visits. I made a mistake, told her what happened. She must have talked to Viktor, believed bringing him the new dragon rider would persuade him to let Persis go.” Why am I telling Kage this?

“Then, it’s Viktor’s fault she’s dead, isn’t it? She gave up Florence Shen in a futile attempt to placate him. But he doesn’t have to be doing any of this, Regan.” Kage sounded disgusted. “Viktor isn’t a leader. He’s a monster. And what he’s doing to you? It should matter to someone.”

I looked at him, not with thanks but with rage and shame. “You don’t understand anything,” I said, my voice cracking. “I let him do it. Don’t you understand that? I stand there. I don’t run. I don’t fight. I never do.”

Kage’s gaze didn’t waver.