Ink's POV
I don't say yes.
Not to her.
Not to the crown-tilted smirk.
Not to the offer laced in velvet and venom.
Not to the promise of power pressed to my ribs like a kiss with teeth.
I walk out.
But the dragon doesn't.
That's the problem.
The moment I turn my back on Scarlett, the dragon fights me for it.
Coward.
It says it like a curse.
Like a dare.
Like it's not just some ancient thing curled inside me — but something smarter now.
Closer.
She is power. You tasted it. Why run?
Because she's dangerous. Because she'd own me. Because I don't want her.
Liar.
That night, I can't sleep.
I press my palms to the cold stone floor.
Try to meditate like the old Sagitta scrolls taught.
Breathe in fire. Breathe out control.
But my thoughts flicker —
to Scarlett's eyes,
her voice,
her hands like silk catching flame.
And the dragon coils around it.
Feeds on it.
You want her. So do I.
She sees what Leah never will.
Let me have her. Let me show you how easy this can be.
My fists clench.
My skin burns with heat.
My pupils slit — just for a second.
I fight it off.
Barely.
I wake in the training ring.
I don't remember walking there.
The sand around me is scorched black.
And I'm smiling.
I go to Scarlett.
Not to accept.
To end it.
She's in the Scorpio courtyard, fencing one of the guards —
moving like smoke, like venom.
She sees me, lowers her sword, and gives a slow, amused bow.
"Changed your mind?"
"No." I snap. "I came to tell you to stop."
She tilts her head. "Stop what?"
"Calling me. Whispering through my veins. I know what you're doing. I know what it wants."
Her gaze sharpens.
"And what do you want?"
"I want to be free."
Scarlett steps closer.
"Then why are you still here?"
My breath catches.
Because she's right.
And she knows it.
Touch her, the dragon whispers.
Just once. You'll see.
"No."
I stumble back. My fingers tremble.
The air pulses.
My skin flickers gold.
She watches me.
Curious.
Hungry.
"Ink," she says softly.
"You're not losing to the dragon."
I stare at her.
"You're becoming her."
I run.
Not because I'm afraid of Scarlett.
Because I'm afraid of myself.
That night, the dragon doesn't whisper.
She screams.