Page 107 of The Alien's Cruel Starfrost Domain

“No one will discover anything.” Ivrael cuts her off. “The court will blame the firelords for this attack. They’ll never suspect one of their own arranged it.”

I stay frozen in place as Uanna’s sharp, cold laugh rings out.

“You really think you can keep this contained?” She takes a step toward Ivrael. “What do you imagine Prince Jonyk will say when he learns one of his dukes orchestrated the murder of half his court?”

“And who exactly will tell him?” Ivrael’s voice drops to a dangerous whisper. “You?”

“Perhaps I will.” Uanna lifts her chin. “After all, my loyalty has always been to the crown.”

“Has it?” Frost spreads in delicate patterns across the snow from where Ivrael stands. “Then you might want to consider how it will look when the survivors tell His Highness about the lady in red who stood at my side tonight.”

Uanna goes very still. “What are you implying?”

“Everyone who saw you knew exactly what that gown meant—that you’d thrown your lot in with me. That you’d pledged yourself to my cause.” He takes a step closer to her. “The traditional color of blood allegiance. How fitting, given how the night ended.”

“I didn’t know what you were planning,” she protests, but there’s a tremor in her voice now.

“Didn’t you?” Ivrael’s tone is almost gentle. “Then why agree soreadily when I asked you to wear it? You’re far too clever not to have understood the symbolism.”

“You’re threatening me.” It’s not a question.

“I’m reminding you that your position at court is precarious.” Another step closer. Ivrael reaches out and brushes his fingers down her cheek. She flinches but doesn’t pull away. “The survivors will remember seeing you by my side.”

“You wouldn’t,” Uanna whispers.

All pretense of gentleness vanishes from his voice. “Try me.”

Uanna takes a stumbling step backward. “You’re mad,” she breathes out. “This plan of yours—it’s insanity. Even if the girl does carry royal blood, even if you manage to get her sister too, you can’t possibly think?—”

“I can and I will.” Ivrael cuts her off again. “The only question is whether you’re clever enough to choose the winning side.”

For a long moment, they stare at each other. Finally, Uanna’s shoulders slump. “What do you want from me?”

“Your silence. Your support. Your continued presence at my side.” He reaches out and catches her chin, tilting her face up to his. “After all, appearances must be maintained.”

“And if I refuse?”

“Then I suppose Prince Jonyk will have to find himself a new favorite.” Ivrael’s smile is cruel. “Though I doubt you’ll enjoy where they send you afterward.”

A shudder runs through Uanna’s whole body. “You truly are a monster.”

“Yes.” Ivrael releases her chin and steps back. “I am. Never forget that.”

He turns away from her, and I catch a glimpse of his face in the growing light. There’s no emotion there at all—no guilt, no regret, nothing human. Just cold calculation and ruthless determination.

In that moment, I realize Uanna is right. The man who bought me at the market, who saved me from the undead, who sometimes showed flashes of warmth beneath his icy exterior—none of that was real. The true Ivrael is thiscreature of frost and shadow, willing to sacrifice anyone and anything to achieve his goals.

Including me. Including my sister.

I have to stop him. Somehow, I have to find a way to save us both before it’s too late.

But first, I need to understand exactly what he has planned. Why our ages matter so much. What this royal blood means, and why he’s willing to burn down his own world to test it.

And to do that, I’m going to have to confront him directly. The thought settles into my bones like ice, but with it comes a strange sort of clarity. My hands stop shaking as I step out from behind the planter, snow crunching beneath my feet.

The sound draws both their attention. Uanna’s eyes widen, but Ivrael’s expression doesn’t change—as if he’s been expecting this all along. Maybe he has. Maybe this, too, is part of his game.

Well, I’m done playing.

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