2

“Lord Drevik wants you to see him in his office.”

Of course 

I take my sweet time to eat my cold breakfast and change my clothes before I finally go to my papa's office. Where my mama and Ingrid are already seated with my furious papa.

“Where have you been?”

“In the forest.” I pick up an apple from his table,take a bite and plop down into the couch at the furthest side of his office. My papa's eyes follow my movements with his left eye twitching like the way I do every time he wants to break something. But of course,he holds back.

“You came here earlier today when I did not call you here and you were absolutely disrespectful to me. That behaviour that you displayed was an insult to me and the house of Drevik.”

I raise a single brow,regarding my papa coolly. 

“We all know it's not my behaviour that has you worked up,papa. And also,the house of Drevik,really? That's just too far.”

“Be quiet! You will not speak until I am done. You have only caused problems since you were born. I was doing what was right for this family and this house,but you came in here and blew it up. You will comply! You will obey me as your father and as the lord of this house. I will not have any more of your stupid tantrums.”

His face is red now,a vein threatening to pop in his forehead and his fist clenched in tight fists.

I stand and swallow the rest of the apple down my throat. 

“First of all,ouch. I have always known I am the problem child,but it stings a little when you remind me every day or two.”

I pretend to look wounded and rub my chest as if it hurts.

Even though I make it look like I am only being playful,it always stings when I'm reminded that I'm a problem.

“Second of all,whatever you're doing is for your benefit,not the house. This house is fine. We don't need an alliance for anything. Thirdly,I don't see the need to obey you as my father when you haven't been a considerate father to your daughter. And as a lord,well you're old,maybe you should rest and allow someone younger to take your place and make a better decision.”

I toss what's left of my eaten apple on his desk.

“You will call off whatever arrangement you have with the Arkael's. My sister will not be pushed into an arranged marriage. You have taken enough from her. It is enough.”

My papa stand up abruptly and points at me in anger

“It is her duty to this house and it is your duty to comply. What has gotten into you?”

“What has gotten into me? You didn't expect me to sit and watch you marry my sister off to people she barely knows, did you?”

I unfurl my wrist band and snap it,making my dad flinch.

“Anya,I'm fine,really. I will marry him,he's nice.”

My sister says,looking wary.

“Nice? Nice? You don't want Nice Ingrid. This will not happen. You and mama should step out. I need to talk to papa alone.”

“But-”

I glare at my mama before she completes her sentence.

She grabs Ingrid and they both leave,shutting the door behind them.

“You would think you're my eldest daughter with the way you're acting.” My papa muses,despite himself. 

I scoff and take a seat opposite him.

“Sit down papa. We have to talk.

He huffs and sits down. 

“Why are you doing this papa? Why are you throwing your daughter to the wolf?”

His flinches and shifts uncomfortably in his seat.

“I can't tell you why,Anya. But I have no choice. It has to happen. Trust me,I don't want this to happen”

Even though I wish it was a lie,I know my papa,and the truth I see in his eyes is all I need to know that we're fucked royally. 

“Damnit papa,I can't watch her do this. I will marry Marek.”

His gaze sharpens and he sits up.

“It will not happen Anya. It's too risky for you and this house.”

His voice reduces to a whisper as if the books are listening.

“You have a wyrm within you. You have magic. You need to stay in this house or else your sister will face a fate far worse than marrying Marek Arkael. This whole house and all within it will burn. Do not even think about it.”

I slump into my seat and moan mournfully. 

I know he's right. No matter how much I want to protect my sister,taking her place will be worse than marriage. That Arkael's are not terrible. There are far worse options. 

Fuck my life.

"Papa, just tell me why you have to do this. It can't be that bad."

He tightens his lips, and I know he will not say a word.

I sigh 

"Ingrid does not deserve this,papa. Her wings have been clipped enough."

"I know Anya. But it was to protect you both."

"Protect? Only to be carted into an arranged marriage to people she barely knows? Papa,that's worse than all the wrong things you've done."

"She's the oldest,she understands her duty."

I scoff and stand

"Well thank you for giving birth to me second and thank you for making have a whole ass dragon in me. Thank you for making me a liability to my family and this house. Thank you for making me helpless when all I want to do is save my sister. I don't care who I marry Papa. I don't. But she does. Ots the one thing that could erase all that you've taken away from her."

I walk out of the office and go to my room,defeated