Page 126 of The Alien's Vicious Starflash Manor

“The light that surrounded you as you worked the ice.” I pause, watching her reaction carefully. “The fact that you survived Lord Oesterin’s fire at the ball.”

She takes a step back, and I have to fight the urge to follow.

“With your new ice dragon form, why would you need Izzy and me any longer? You clearly have enough power of your own.”

This is the moment. The words I speak next could determine everything.

But I still can’t tell her everything.

“Because I can’t dethrone Prince Jonyk alone.” I step closer to her, my voice dropping. “He’s destroying everything—not just the Icecaix way of life, but the very fabric of our world. The magic is failing, and he’s too blind with power to see it.”

She watches me carefully, clearly not buying everything I’m telling her—but at least she’s still listening.

“He’ll do whatever it takes to consolidate his power. You saw what just happened with those hunters.” I fight to keep my voice steady as I lean against the maze wall, ice crystals crackling beneath my palm. “Jonyk won’t stop until he finds every person with royal blood. Including you and your sister.”

Her jaw tightens. “And you think putting me on his throne would fix everything?”

“Not everything.” I shift on my feet. “But it would be a start. A chance to build something better than his reign of cruelty and rigid divisions.”

“Better for who?” She crosses her arms, but I catch the slight frisson of interest echoing in her voice. “The same nobles who’ve spent the last year treating me like dirt?”

“For everyone.” I take a careful step toward her, my newly reformed muscles protesting. “Think of Kila, of Adefina. Of every servant and every Starcaix struggling to survive under Jonyk’s rule. They deserve better than living in fear.”

Her expression wavers. “And you think I could actually help them?”

“I’ve seen what you can do.” The memory of her controlling the ice, of power radiating from her like starlight, sends another shiver through me. “You could be living proof that the old boundaries between races mean nothing. That change is possible.”

“Or I’m just proof that your precious pure bloodlines aren’t so pure after all.” But there’s less bite in her tone now, more consideration.

“Exactly.” I press my advantage, even as my body screams for rest. “The entire system is built on lies. Jonyk knows it—that’s why he’s so desperate to eliminate anyone who might challenge his claim to power.”

She turns away, staring at the maze walls. “And what happens to Izzy in all this? I won’t risk her life for your political games.”

“I would never let anything happen to either of you.” The words emerge rougher than intended, crackling with emotion.

Her laugh holds no humor. “Right. Because you’ve been so protective of me this past year.”

The accusation slams into me. “I know I’ve hurt you. But this is bigger than us now. Jonyk’s hunters won’t stop. They’ll keep coming, keep killing, until they find what they’re looking for.”

“Or until someone stops them.” She meets my gaze again, and something fierce burns in her eyes.

“Yes.” I let her see it in my face, the desperation driving me. “Help me save my world from what he’s becoming. Help me build something better.”

She shivers, though whether from the cold or my words, I can’t tell. “Why should I believe you?”

“Because you’ve seen what he’s capable of. Because you know what it’s like to be powerless, to be used as a pawn in someone else’s game.”

I reach for her hand, relief flooding through me when she doesn’t pull away. “Help me end his reign before he destroys everything.”

She stares at where my fingers tangle with hers, and I watch the play of emotions across her face.

“If I agree,” she says finally, “it’s not for you.” Another tremor runs through me, but this time it’s not from the aftermath of shifting. “It’s to protect other people.”

“I know.” And I do. It’s one of the things that draws me to her, even knowing I shouldn’t let it. Even knowing what I’ll eventually have to do. Her compassion, her fierce protectiveness—they’re what make her perfect for my plans.

And what make those plans increasingly impossible to contemplate.

But I can’t think about that now. Can’t let myself dwell on future betrayals when the present demands all my focus. When she’s warm and alive in my arms, her magic sparking golden against my skin.

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