When It Reigns (Cursed Reigns, #1)

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

AERYN'S POV 

I didn't trust myself to reply, especially when he continued speaking. 

His warm breath tickled my ear as he leaned closer, whispering, "Let's not dismiss how hot things got in your bed. I haven't forgotten that we still have a competition to finish." 

He pulled back with a satisfied smirk, fang poking his full bottom lip as he gave me a wink. The blush that stained my cheeks was inevitable, as was the pool of warmth in my stomach as I fought to regain my composure. Straightening my shoulders, I lifted my head and said, "The only competition you and I have is seeing who will win this unending battle of icy hostility and fiery passion we seem to regard each other with." 

"Your walls are built higher and more formidable than the gates surrounding our empire, princess. It's up to you when our battle finally knocks them down. I've been trying to figure out what is strong enough to make them crumble, but I'm starting to think you've made them indestructible." 

I hated the way his poetic words spoke to me – and just how accurate his perceptions of me were. 

"I can't let myself be vulnerable," I explained. "I don't have an Insignia. I need all the fortifications I can get, and if that means protecting myself – and my heart – from all threats, then I'll close everyone out." 

Zoran sighed. "I'm not a threat – not to you, at least. Once you believe that and trust me enough to let me inside those walls, we'll be the strongest Champions this empire has seen since the Phoenixians defended us." 

I clenched my hands into fists. "How can you say that? Not only do I not have an Insignia, but you have not given me one good reason I should let you get close to me." 

"Frost fire may rage inside me and fill me with flames cold enough to burn, but I can tame that fiery coldness. There's something about you that ignites the spark – and I'm not so sure that's a bad thing anymore." 

My mind raced as I hurried to process his confession. 

"What are you saying?" 

Zoran's smile made my stomach flip.  

"You're the match I need to light my fire,princess. And you're also the coolness that can help me gain control of theflames. You're the key in controlling this frost fire enough for me to learn how to wield the lethal weapon that it is to its full potential."

What he didn't realize was that he was the lethal weapon. Zoran was ranked at the top of the class, possessed two powers, and breathed frost fire – the rarest form of fire only dragons could breathe. He didn't need me to be his catalyst when he was this powerful on his own.

I opened my mouth to voice those very thoughts when he shook his head and placed his hand over my fist.

"The ceremony is about to start," he hushed, glancing around at the dimming torches. "We can continue this conversation later."

I spun back around in my seat with my face hot and my palms sweating in the gloves. More students and families had filed into the room at a quick succession and Emperor Nepheus took the stage, hand glowing red as the small fires intensified and a hush descended among the Draconians.

My father's inky, satin robe floated around him, and his obsidian crown with the silver, blue, red, and yellow gemstones of his Elemental Forces gleamed on his head. The hair on his temples was graying, but the rest of the shoulder length locks were a healthy dark brown like mine. His glacial eyes scoured the room as he swept his gaze toward each student, hesitating on me for an extra second prior to moving on to the next pupil beside me.