Chapter 5

The next day brought the annual Wildfire Festival, a bonfire gathering that every young beastkin in the realm was required to attend.

In the center of the grounds, Kael and Ivy were practically glued to each other.

His followers surrounded them in a noisy ring, competing to outdo each other's flattery.

"That's Kael for you — pure-blooded dragon, nobody can touch him. To have both the sacred white wolf and a woman this beautiful wrapped around him..."

"The white wolf made that whole scene about breaking the engagement, and look at her, still here at the party today. My guess is she's already regretting everything and doesn't know how to back down."

Kael soaked it up, glancing over at me with that familiar smug certainty in his eyes.

But then I noticed what he was wearing.

The silver cloak, the one Ivy had grabbed from me at the shop.

The problem was, Kael was softer and considerably less built than Victor. The cloak that would have sat clean and commanding on Victor's shoulders was hanging awkwardly off Kael's heavier frame, the hem bunching at his ankles in a way that looked almost comical.

Neither of them seemed to notice. Ivy was fussing over the collar with all the tenderness of a devoted lover.

Then Ivy caught sight of me and manufactured a sparkle in her eye.

"Vivienne! You made it!" She pitched her voice to carry, making sure the crowd around them heard every word. "Thank you so much for helping me find this cloak yesterday — doesn't Kael look incredible? It's like it was made for him."

Kael's expression went flat immediately. He turned to me, cold and superior. "Vivienne. Spare me the performances. Don't think sending gifts through Ivy means I'll forgive what you did. Seeing you stoop to this just makes me sick."

He turned back to Ivy without another word.

The bonfire burned higher as the night wore on. Then, without warning, Ivy let out a sharp, agonized cry.

"What's wrong?" Kael went pale and caught her against him.

Ivy raised one trembling finger toward me. "It was... it was Vivienne. She gave me a drink earlier... it had ice-bee venom in it. Vivienne, I understand you're jealous because Kael loves me, but why would you do this to my face—"

"I haven't touched you," I said flatly. "And I didn't hand you anything."

But the crowd had already ignited.

"Her own stepsister—"

"And she calls herself a white wolf—"

Kael didn't bother with evidence. He came straight at me.

The slap knocked my head to the side. My cheek burned.

"Filth." His voice was barely controlled, pure fury underneath. "You hurt my Ivy. If I don't punish you publicly, how do I face her? How do I face anyone here?"

His followers surged forward: "Make her pay! Punish her!"

Then Kael pointed at the massive bonfire roaring behind us. White wolves have an acute sensitivity to fire — it's not weakness, it's biology, and he knew it. He announced, calm and savage at once: "Since you love your little tricks so much — let's see how long you last in there."

On Kael's word, a dozen of his larger followers closed in.

I fought back. But the gap in raw strength was too wide. I couldn't break free.

"Let me go! Kael, it wasn't me — I didn't touch Ivy!"

Kael wasn't listening. He turned away, took Ivy, and went to find a healer, already done with me.