The heavy footsteps behind me made it clear that Vir Ventus was following, though I couldn’t understand why.

  I didn’t want his apology, nor did I care for any compensation.

  Perhaps my youth kept me from grasping the gravity of the situation. Up until this moment, I still believed in the honor of these cold, proud beings.

  I also believed their word carried weight.

  But the moment we found ourselves in an empty corridor, Vir Ventus proved just how wrong I was.

  I didn’t even realize what had happened until I was pressed against the cold stone wall.

  A heavy hand wrapped around my neck, cutting off my air and any chance of calling for help.

  Vir Ventus’s eyes turned pitch-black, just like Max’s had before—but his gaze was different. There was something cold and insane in it.

  This wasn’t just anger or rage; it was cold, calculated resolve. The resolve to end me here and now.

  "When I speak, you listen, little mage," Serpens growled, his voice low and menacing. "I’ve worked too long to arrange this union for some pathetic human girl to ruin it. Nod, and I’ll let you breathe."

  I gave the slightest nod, and the dragon released me, letting my feet touch the ground again. My lungs filled with air as I stumbled, coughing violently.

  He tapped his boot impatiently, waiting for me to recover.

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  "Ready to listen?" he growled again as I forced myself to stand upright, glancing desperately around the corridor for anyone—anyone—who might call for help.

  There was no one.

  All the students had scattered to their rooms, busy spreading gossip about the earlier incident, and the professors rarely came this way.

  There was no one to save me.

  I nodded again, pressing myself tightly against the wall.

  "From this moment on, the capital is off-limits to you, mage. I don’t care how useful your magic might be. Forget about Drakania. Nod if you understand," the dragon snarled, and I nodded again.

  "You will also forget about Maximilian Terragon, just as you will forget about the capital. He is Seraya’s husband, and she will bear the heir of the Terragon line. No Amatrix, no mistresses," he growled.

  And then I made a mistake.

  "I can’t control your fiancé. Handle him yourself," I croaked out in a hoarse voice.

  His hand was on my neck again in an instant, squeezing tighter than before.

  "I should crush your throat right now," he hissed, his voice cold and calm. "But I’ll be merciful tonight. If I find out that you’ve had *any* contact with the Terragon heir—believe me, I will find out."

  He leaned closer, his black eyes more crazed and terrifying than ever.

  "If I find out," he repeated, "I won’t just kill you. I’ll kill your little brother too."

  His grip tightened until my vision blurred, and just as I was about to pass out, he released me. I collapsed onto the cold floor, gasping for breath.

  "If you try to tell anyone about this conversation, your brother’s career will be over, girl," Serpens said quietly, his voice dripping with menace. "Find yourself a husband and keep your head down in the North. Otherwise, before I send you to meet your ancestors, I’ll make sure your family starves in poverty. Imperial funding is hard to gain but very easy to lose. You’ve been warned."

  With that, the dragon turned sharply on his heel and stormed off, his boots echoing loudly as he headed back toward the ballroom.

  Clutching my trembling hand to my bruised neck, I struggled to breathe.

  Tears, bitter and hot, dripped onto the stone floor.

  The corridor was utterly silent, broken only by the sound of my ragged breathing, echoing like a haunting memory.