Page 2 of Scorched By Fate

I snorted, letting the banter run its course. Admittedly, it was nice to hear something other than discussions of survival plans and escape routes, even if the levity was probably doomed to be short-lived. Somewhere in the pit of my stomach, I could already feel the weight of Vega’s earlier words.

She wasn’t wrong. Execution orders or not, Scalvaris was a pressure cooker—and humans were just one more volatile ingredient thrown into the pot.

Before I could spiral too far, Rachel jerked her chin toward one of the stalls off to our left. “Check it out; that blade looks like some wizard shit.”

The weapon on display was stunning. Long and curved ever-so-slightly, its edge gleamed with a sharpness that whispered deadly promises. Intricate heat crystals glowed along the hilt, the golden light flickering like trapped embers. The craftsmanship was undeniable.

It wasn’t just a weapon; it was a masterpiece.

And it did look a little like something that could start shooting magic fireballs with the right words. But in my experience, aliens were real, magic? Not so much.

I stepped closer, letting my fingers hover just shy of the blade’s surface. I wasn’t stupid enough to touch it outright—some Drakarn got real tetchy about their goods being handled by strangers.

The vendor—an older Drakarn with scales the color of ash—leaned forward, his piercing orange gaze taking me in. “Admiring the fine work, human?” His voice rumbled low, carrying an edge of pride. Not threatening, which was refreshing for a change. Still, I straightened unconsciously, keeping my expression carefully neutral.

“It’s …” I faltered, searching for the right words. What could you even say about something this impressive? “It’s beautiful. Did you …”

The vendor’s narrow pupils flicked from me to the weapon, a satisfied smile pulling at his lips. “It is the work of Vyne,” he said, like that name alone should mean something to me. When I tilted my head, he chuckled. “One of our finest forge masters. His precision is unparalleled.”

Vyne. I rolled the name around in my head, my brain immediately conjuring up the image of a certain Drakarn warrior I’d crossed paths with a few times—once in the healing caverns when I’d been learning from Mysha and again when he’d silently stepped in to help unload supplies without a word.

Dark green scales, broad shoulders, a face that could stop a woman in her tracks … and hands as skilled as they were lethal.

Rachel’s elbow nudged me lightly. “Oh no. I know that look.”

I shot her a dry glance, shoving aside the very real mental image of Vyne, flickering forge light catching the sharp planes of his face. “I wasn’t thinking about anything,” I lied, struggling—and mostly failing—to sound convincing.

Rachel only smiled knowingly.

“Well, if you’re interested,” the vendor offered slyly, his scaled fingers drumming on the edge of his stall. “It's not often I have his blades to sell. He normally works on commission."

Words fizzled in my brain, refusing to form, which only fueled Rachel’s growing amusement. She was going to hold this over my head for weeks.

Kaiya, probably sensing my rising discomfort, leaned forward to ask the vendor something about the heat crystals—her tone dripping with scientific curiosity. I was grateful for the diversion, but my mind had already run off on its own tangent, fixating on the absurdity of it all.

Strong hands. Precise craftsmanship. Quiet strength.

Damn it, Selene. Snap out of it.

If Vyne could pour that much focus and care into something like a blade, what else might he be capable of? Whatwouldit feel like to have those claws not carving metal but pressed gently to my skin, not as a weapon but?—

Nope. Not going there.

I needed to get fucking laid. I'd joked about having a Drakarn of my very own to Orla not long ago, but jokes were one thing. Inviting one of the dragon-men to my bed? I wasn't so sure.

I tore my gaze from the weapon and cleared my throat, forcing my attention back to my surroundings. The noise of the market seemed sharper now, every sound a little too loud as I tried to wrest control of my spiraling thoughts.

“It's getting late,” I said briskly, cutting through Kaiya’s excited chatter about living crystals. Rachel raised an eyebrow at me, clearly biting back another comment, but thankfully, she let it go.

The back of my neck itched like someone was watching me. I glanced backwards, looking for … well, green scales if I wasbeing honest. But if someone was watching me, they were doing it from the shadows.

Maybe this planet was getting to me after all.

TWO

VYNE

The market buzzed—too loud, too alive. I hovered at the edge of the chaos, half-draped in shadows. The crystals in the walls seemed to burn, casting fractured light over the crowd. It made their faces sharp, jagged, almost unreal.

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