Chapter 1

"Noxivira, Aithne's health is getting worse by the day. She can't conduct the drug test anymore—they're life-threatening for her."

My parents crowded around me, once again urging me to agree to the drug test.

I'd lost count of how many times this had happened.

"You and Aithne are both about to reach adulthood. But she has been unable to absorb the elemental power. If this continues, she won't survive for long. "

“Only taking the drug test has a chance to save her. You are the most powerful dragon among our clan. You should take better care of your sister.”

"Noxivira! Don't be so selfish. You two hatched from the same clutch. You're the only one who can take her place. Can you really stand by and watch your own sister become a crippled dragon?"

Morpheus frowned, his face dark with anger.

"If you refuse, we're done. Call off the engagement. Aithne doesn't have much time left, and I want to help her fulfill her last wish."

He threatened me again with breaking off the engagement.

"If you keep this up, we no longer recognize you as our daughter!!"

My parents were losing their temper too, since I hadn't said a word.

I listened quietly, watching them spew such absurd nonsense.

They'd wanted me to take Aithne's place in the drug tests for a long time now.

Every time they saw Aithne trembling after an experiment, my parents would wipe away tears, heartbroken.

Morpheus doted on her even more. He came to our lair almost every day and stayed by Aithne's side the whole time.

Leaving me, his fiancée, in the dust.

Every time I watched them crowd around Aithne, I felt like an outsider.

I used to refuse every time.

Because I could clearly feel my own life draining away, my body growing weaker by the day.

Every time I said "no," everyone looked so disappointed.

My parents would blast ice breath at me to vent their frustration.

Morpheus would ignore me for ages, treating me like thin air.

But a few days ago, the Forest Witch told me it was a terminal illness—something that would drain me until I died.

So I agreed.

I'm going to die anyway. My parents and my fiancé don't matter anymore.

Whether I die at home or on an experiment table—none of that matters either.

No one noticed how weak I'd become. No one cared whether I lived or died.

Right now, Morpheus's fatal scale was growing darker by the second, a sign of his rising anger. He opened his mouth, wanting to threaten me again.

"Fine."

I smiled at them, calmly deciding my death.

"I agree."

Everyone froze. Then they turned to me with joy.

"Thank the stars! Aithne can finally be saved!" Mother buried herself in father's arms, happily wiping away tears.

Father nodded with relief. "Finally sensible. You've learned to help your sister."

It took Morpheus a moment to process it. He nudged Aithne's snout with his own, a gesture of deep fondness.

Then he looked at me, as if granting me a favor, and said,

"Once this experiment succeeds and Aithne gets better, we'll get married."

Father, afraid I'd change my mind, immediately rushed to seal the deal with a contract.

The cold, binding words of the pact flew into my mind. From then on, breaking it would mean death.

My chest tightened.

And they all breathed sighs of relief, smiling.

I watched their happy faces, a bitterness rising in my heart that I couldn't put into words. Silently, I flew out of the Frost Keep.

I found the Frost Dragon Priestess and begged her to dissolve the engagement contract.

"Child, you and Morpheus have been bound by this pact for so long. I cannot simply break it without cause."

Tears welled in my eyes. I exposed the fatal scale beneath my neck.

"Holy Priestess, I have a terminal illness. I won't live much longer. Please… help me."

She touched the scale lightly with her fingertip, sensed the energy within, and froze. Her eyes filled with pity.

"Child… it's this bad? Your family… they don't know?"

I gave a bitter smile. "As you know, all their attention is on Aithne. I'm beyond saving. Please grant my wish."

In the end, the Priestess dissolved the contract and promised to keep my secret. A weight lifted from my chest.

I flew back toward the Frost Keep. From a distance, I saw Morpheus waiting for me.

He shoved a box into my hands, looking almost regretful.

"Noxivira… all that talk about breaking the engagement—that was just anger. Don't be upset. We'll get married soon enough."

I nodded absently and opened the box. Inside was a single iceroot.

Iceroot heightens my attunement to the ice element, strengthening my physical form.

But perhaps all this tender care was merely to keep my body in prime condition, just so I'd be fit to test drugs for Aithne.

He looked like he wanted to say something else, but in the end, he said nothing.

Mother brought me a tonic too, stroking my hair gently.

"Don't blame us. You two came from the same clutch of eggs. You stole Aithne 's energy. Now you're just giving some of it back."

"We won't treat you badly. Tell me whatever you want, and mother will make it happen."

I shook my head, I thought back to the Forest Witch telling me the exact time of my death.

Seven days left.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I answered softly,

"Give it all to Aithne. I won't need anything anymore."