Page 33 of The Alien's Cruel Starfrost Domain

“You truly believe his death will allow you to take over the realm?”

I turn to face him, meeting those reptilian eyes. “The Caix are dying, Vazor. Our magic weakens with each generation. Jonyk’s solution is to reject progress, to cling desperately to the old ways while our power slips through our fingers like melting ice.”

“And your solution is to burn it all down?” There’s amusement in his voice. “How very...firelord of you.”

“Sometimes the only way forward is through destruction.” The words taste like ashes in my mouth, but I force them out anyway. “The old order must fall for something new to rise.”

“Certainly.” He moves back to his chair, sprawling into it with unexpected grace. “Though I wonder if you’ve truly thought through all the implications of our little coup.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning that once we succeed, there will be changes. The firelords won’t be content to remain in our mountains forever.” His eyes glitter. “We’ll want what’s ours.”

I take another sip of wine to hide my expression. “And what exactly do you consider yours?”

“Everything.” He spreads his hands wide. “The valleys, the plains, the cities. All of it.”

“That wasn’t our agreement. You agreed to half the Starcaix realm.”

“Agreements change.” His voice drops lower, smoke and shadow. “You’re not naive enough to think otherwise.”

I turn back to the window, watching the snow fall. He’s right—I’m not naive. I knew from the start that allying with the firelords was problematic. But I need them, need their strength and their technology to achieve my goals.

And if that means playing a dangerous game...well, I’ve become good at those over the cycles.

“I suppose we’ll see how things unfold,” I say carefully.

Vazor drains his wine glass, setting it aside with a decisive click. “I suppose we will.”

And that is exactly why I haven’t told him about the Starfire crown.

Getting Vazor out of Starfrost Manor unseen will be nearly impossible if Baron Svalkat is still awake. The thought of Jonyk’s spy discovering a firelord in my rooms makes my blood run even colder than usual.

I move to the window, scanning the courtyard below. Snow continues to fall, which works in our favor—the thick flakes will help obscure Vazor’s departure. But first, I need to ensure our path is clear.

“Give me a moment,” I murmur to Vazor, who sprawls in my chair like he owns it. I step into the hallway, letting my magic spread out through the manor. The cold seeps through the walls, through the floors, creating a web of awareness.

I sense the baron in his chambers, his energy signature dimmed with sleep. Good. The kitchen still pulses with life—Lara’s human warmth near the hearth, Adefina’s Starcaix energy nearby. The rest of the household has settled in for the night.

When I return my attention to my sitting room, Vazor has moved to stand by the fire, his scales reflecting the flames in ways that make him impossible to disguise. Even in his humanoid form, he’s obviously not Caix.

“We’ll need to take the servant’s stairs,” I tell him. “Follow my lead and stay in the shadows.”

His laugh is a soft hiss of steam. “Shadows aren’t exactly my natural habitat.”

“Then consider it practice for our future endeavors.” I open the door and peer out again. “Unless you’d prefer to explain to your king why you were caught conspiring with an Ice Court duke?”

That silences him. We both know his king would be even less pleased than Jonyk to discover our alliance.

The corridor is dark, lit only by the occasionalCaixlight floating near the ceiling. I extinguish them as we pass, letting the darkness swallow us. Vazor’s heat signature blazes behind me like a torch, and I grit my teeth, drawing the cold around us both.

We’re halfway to the servant’s stairs when I hear footsteps approaching from the cross-corridor ahead. I grab Vazor’s arm and drag him into an alcove behind a suit of armor.

Ramira passes by, carrying a small tray loaded with small delicacies—a nighttime snack for the baron, I assume. The housemaid’s steps falter as she nears our hiding spot—she must sense the temperature fluctuation caused by Vazor’s presence. But after a moment, she continues walking, her soft footfalls fading away.

I blow out a breath. “Almost there.”

Vazor’s eyes glitter with amusement. “This is more excitement than I typically prefer with my conspiracies.”

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