Chapter 2

I put the crystal away and returned to the sitting room alone.

When I was nine, during the winter hunt, they had left me behind just like this.

That year, Cecilia had wandered into a snow wolf den, and the wolves trapped us inside.

My brother and Lorne shielded her and called for our parents.

My father shouted in a panic, "Elaia, lure the wolves the other way so your brother can get Cecilia out!"

When I stood there trembling, my mother yelled, "Cecilia is too pretty to be scarred by wolves! Go protect your sister!"

Before Cecilia was born, they had loved me, too. My brother used to carry me on his shoulders, and my parents remembered every birthday. But after she arrived, all eyes turned to the pretty, sweet-natured child who knew how to charm everyone. Little by little, I became the only person in the family no one saw.

In the end, I lured the wolves away alone. I survived three days in an ice cave, swallowing snow to stay alive, before my parents finally came back for me.

Footsteps broke through my thoughts.

"Elaia, why are you just standing there?"

Lorne walked over, two crimson potion bottles swinging in his hand.

"I bought flame amplifiers for Cecilia, and the workshop threw in an extra bottle. Take it, so you can't say I play favorites."

Fire magic roiled inside the bottle. I didn't take it. Lorne knew my dragon core was frost-aligned. The flame amplifier could boost Cecilia's training, but it would burn my essence. He had forgotten even that.

He shoved the bottle into my hand. The scalding glass seared my palm.

"Why do you always act so ungrateful? You can't match Cecilia's looks, but you could at least learn to be charming."

I let go. The bottle dropped onto the stone table.

He didn't notice. He was already looking around. "Where's Cecilia?"

"She's at the Sky Hunting Grounds picking a war beast."

Lorne's eyes lit up.

"Perfect. Once she's done, I'll take her to the Black Dragon Territory."

He unrolled a contract. "Her academy seat, housing, and personal guard. I've arranged everything."

I stared at the contract, biting down on my lip.

"Upset? You thought I forgot about you, didn't you?"

Lorne smirked and unrolled a second contract. "I'm a Black Dragon Knight. I planned everything out for you, too."

I looked down.

The terms were clear.

If I signed it, I would enter Black Dragon Academy as Cecilia's attendant. No private quarters, no right to train, and no ability to refuse any request she made.

I looked up and stared straight at Lorne. "This is the future you chose for me?"

"Cecilia is so remarkable that plenty of people will be jealous of her. She needs someone trustworthy by her side to look after her."

Lorne pushed the attendant contract toward me. "You can't transform anyway. Staying with Cecilia suits you best. We're bonding next year. Would I ever do anything to hurt you?"

I gave a soundless laugh and fought back tears.

Three years ago, the first time Lorne saw Cecilia, he couldn't look away. After leaving my house, he had laughed and said, "No wonder you always complain that your family plays favorites. If I had a sister that pretty, I'd play favorites too." I'd thought he was joking at the time. But every choice he made after that, he chose Cecilia. That was when I realized he had meant every word.

Lorne didn't notice anything wrong. He was busy contacting Cecilia through his crystal.

"By the way, sign that attendant contract already."

He kept his eyes on the crystal without looking up. "After you sign, I'll take you to get some attendant uniforms."

The moment he finished speaking, Cecilia's radiant face appeared on the crystal.

Lorne immediately switched to a fawning grin. "Cecilia, look what I got you!"

I couldn't watch any longer. I picked up the humiliating contract and threw it in the trash.

Back in my room, I unrolled the Northern Court contract.

Fine frost crystallized across the parchment, forming a line of ancient script.

[In seven days, present this contract to board the Royal Vessel.]