I skimmed through the letter my family had sent me this morning.

Dear Sera,

We hope you’re doing well. The people around here have been treating us better. I think they want to get on our good side because our daughter is on the council. Your father is beginning to start selling things as a merchant again. Income is increasing, but we might need more help on your end. I hope you’ve been eating enough.

We miss you. Will you visit again soon?

Love,

Your Mother

I almost snorted at the irony. Mother never asked me if I had enough food back when I was still helping her clean the latrines. This letter simply showed how two-faced people could be. I had to get that position as secretary.

Frederick was sitting next to me in the throne room. The place glowed with lavishness, paintings and gold trimmings everywhere. It was probably the size of twenty hidrae dragons combined, and could fit an entire castle of people. A blue carpet led toward a daunting flight of stairs, up to where King Gisiroth sat. Below the steps were rows upon rows of seats, where the council members and officials belonged.

The processions of politics always took longer than needed, with drawn-out arguments and a stretched-out voting system. When all the minor laws were taken care of, King Gisiroth finally moved on to the main topic.

His sons were sitting behind him together with his wife, Queen Miriel. There were four brothers, all hidraes and tall. Rylan, Gaius, Kael, and Micah. They were perfect, almost godlike figures next to their father, and King Gisiroth looked just as imperial as they did. Like his sons, he was a hidrae, also gifted by the power of lightning. Gisiroth was the first of the hidraes to have the power. He had a bulky and muscular figure and didn’t wear a shirt like the princes. Tattoos inked the sides of his neck and traveled down to his back. Like Kael, Gisiroth had striking white hair, which ended at his shoulders.

“Back to our key concern,” King Gisiroth said. “There has been news of crops dying in the outer regions of the farmlands recently. The Jura area and beyond. We believe it’s because of the high summers. Usually it lasts for only a month, but this time it seems to be dragging on for another two weeks, and it’s affecting our food supply. This is a dire problem. At this rate, famines are going to be happen, and we don’t want people to starve. I want as much attention as possible focused on this situation. It’s of the utmost importance.”

The elders bowed their heads. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Are there any suggestions?”

Crickets, then an elder raised her voice. “Irrigation systems, Your Majesty?”

Gisiroth shook his head. “We implemented those last year, and they worked but aren’t enough.”

Those systems had been suggested by me. I noted that with a measure of pride.

Chatter buzzed through the air as discussion took place.

“There is one option,” a male elder said loudly. “Pardon me for thinking about this, my king.”

“Speak,” Gisiroth said. “I’m open to all opinions.”

The elder cleared his throat. “Soul magic.”

A few gasps escaped through the sudden silence. Soul magic? But that had been banned thousands of years ago. The first queen had decided it was too tempting and harmful because of its black magic properties. I’d never tested it out myself, but the idea intrigued me. Then again, I probably wasn’t the best person to contact soul magic. I knew I was the kind to give in to greed, and greed corrupted even faster with magic.

Gisiroth frowned. “And why do you say that?”

“But, Your Majesty, the practice has been outlawed!” another elder shouted.

“It’s too dangerous,” one more said.

The king rose a hand. “Let him speak.”

The elder nodded, then stood. “The high summers seem to be an adjustment of nature’s balance. The sect of the Holy Pair believes that this might be a conflict between Aereala and Gaean, the two gods.”

“Do not bring religion into this!” an elder heckled.

“I will not have disorder in my court,” the king said. “You may continue.”

“Even if we are not discussing religion, this phenomenon is likely a result of the supernatural. It doesn’t pair up with our calculations of the suns’ orbits, or the cycles of our moon. Then it makes sense that we require supernatural abilities to counter its effects.”

“You have a point.” The king leaned back into his throne. “Thank you for your suggestions.”

“Your Majesty,” Tindyll, head of the Council of Intelligence, said, “you can’t seriously be considering this.”

“I will consider whatever I deem capable of saving my people. If you’d like to think you have a better idea, then please, raise your suggestions.”

Other than hushed whispers, nobody said anything else.

“Then I am done with this meeting for today. Court dismissed.”

Disgruntled chatter made its way through the throne room. Scholars from the Council of Intelligence and the military from the Council of Fortitude began ushering their way out.

“Now’s your chance,” Frederick said, elbowing me.

I stared at the four princes. If not for the crowd I’d be able to run up to them in less than a minute, but they still seemed so far away. “I’m having second thoughts.”

“You were so confident about it all morning. Where’s the spunk I’m always seeing in you?”

I was fidgeting. I never fidgeted. “We’re talking about the princes here.”

Frederick shot me a look.

“You’re right. I should just dragon up and talk to Kael. Be respectful about it.”

“Yep.”

“Do my thing.”

“Yes, exactly. But you should hurry.” He looked at the back entrance. “Seems like they’re heading off.”

I grabbed my satchel and slung it over my shoulder. I had to meander through the crowd and get to them quickly. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to figure out where Kael was anymore.

“Oh, and Sera?” Frederick said, halting me.

“Yes?”

“If they do blast you to smithereens, you need to know that olive you,” he deadpanned.

Frederick was plainly asking me to strangle him. I didn’t entertain his joke and left.

I traveled toward the back door, but a guard in full-plated armor blocked my way. “Royals only, lass.”

I cursed before rushing out the front. I wasn’t sure if the detour would allow me to catch them in time, and who knew when the next time Gisiroth would call another meeting like this was? I ran toward where I thought they might be and was lucky enough to see them strolling in the far distance as a group. I was terrible at stalking people, mainly because I didn’t do it very often. I didn’t know if they’d notice me as I trailed after them.

After more scurrying, I got close enough. I was about to call out to Kael, when his brother, Gaius, turned around.

Gaius was a scary-looking fellow. Handsome, yes, but also brutish. He was supposed to be Rylan’s fraternal twin, but the two of them looked nothing alike. Gaius carried himself with a hyper-masculine air and had hard features. All four brothers bore bright blue eyes—it was a trait of the royal family, with the exception of Miriel Everborne, whose eyes were dark brown. Upon closer inspection, Gaius’s blue eyes were the deepest shade compared to his brothers. Gaius had his mother’s dark hair. He bore a large axe, strapped to his bodice with a thick leather strap, which was fitting for his demeanor.

“Why have you been following us?” Gaius asked, suspicion lacing his voice.

“Don’t scare the poor girl,” the crown prince, Rylan, said. Rylan, while also having the same deep shade of hair color, had slender features. He was the prettiest male I’d ever seen, and wore a small braid on one side of his hair. The rest of it fell to his shoulders. He had an earring in one ear. Unlike his brother, he had a svelte but muscular frame, and reminded me somewhat of a big cat.

All the brothers didn’t have shirts on—it was a sign of strength, to show off the fact that they required less clothing to be able to shift into dragons more freely. All the male royals had tattoos running from their chest to their back in a tribal pattern, but Kael had the most tattoos.

Micah—the red-haired, quiet prince—stood behind the three of them. Not much was known about him. He wore a cool expression, and hardly spoke up. Did he recall the encounter we had yesterday? He looked at me with a stare that sent shivers down my spine.

I pried my eyes away from the others and redirected my attention to Kael. I had something important I needed to figure out, and as much as I wanted to ogle them, I had to focus. “This might sound strange…”

Kael smirked. “I saw you at the library yesterday, didn’t I?”

“Yes.” I swallowed, feeling my hands shake. “And you touched my face.”

“You really should stop doing that to girls,” Rylan scolded Kael. “It’s not appropriate for a prince.”

Kael snorted. “You and your uppity ways.”

I cleared my throat. “I need to touch you again.”

They stared at me. Gaius’s lips turned up, almost like he was disgusted, while Kael’s smile grew even wider.

“You’re coming on a little too strongly, aren’t you?” Kael said. “I know we’re the most eligible bachelors in all of Constanria, but—”

“It’s not that,” I quickly cut in. “Pardon my rudeness, Your Highness, but there’s something… Well, I don’t know how to explain this.” Other than Frederick, nobody else knew about my curse. Did I really want to tell them my secret?

My gaze went to Micah, who was studying me with narrowed eyes. What was behind his cold exterior?

“I’m a human,” I said.

“I can smell that,” Gaius replied.

“But I was born… with an ability… a curse.” Maybe I should just run away. This was all a big mistake.

“Go on,” Rylan said.

“Dragon-kind who touch me usually don’t do very well. They experience unimaginable pain when they come into contact with my skin. But Kael here touched me yesterday, and nothing happened.”

Intrigue washed over Rylan’s face. “Interesting.”

“So, Kael can touch you,” Gaius said. “Big deal.”

“It is to me,” I replied. “I’d never—” Never been able to experience the warmth of another person ever since my abilities awakened at the age of nine. But I couldn’t tell them that. It’d sound like I was expecting something.

“Is there any way to show this to us?” Rylan said.

I pursed my lips. “I could touch another dragon-kind, who are most people around here. Humans aren’t common. But I’m not comfortable with causing another innocent that sort of trauma.”

Gaius walked over, and without asking, he grabbed my hand and pulled off my gloves. I yelped, shrinking back. I expected him to collapse like Frederick had yesterday when his bare hand gripped mine, but Gaius didn’t have any reaction, same as Kael. “She’s lying.”

I wanted to scold him for being rude, but I couldn’t quite reprimand a hidrae prince. “I don’t know why my abilities aren’t working with you.”

“I think she just wants me to give her a kiss,” Kael said. He leaned closer to me and tipped my chin up with his index finger. My heart nearly dropped to the ground. He was too close.

“Stop kidding around, Kael,” Gaius said. A female servant was walking past us, carrying a load of sheets. “You there.” Gaius gestured to her. “Set those down. Come here.”

A pang of worry shot through my gut. Gaius wasn’t going to make me hurt her, was he?

Rylan sighed. “Gaius, you should really start treating people better.” But Rylan hadn’t done anything to stop his twin.

The maid strode forward with tentative steps. “Yes, Your Highness?”

“Give me your hand,” Gaius said.

My stomach turned. “This isn’t necessary…” I attempted to pry my hands away from Gaius’s, but his grip was too strong.

He took the maid’s hand, letting the bedsheets fall to the ground, and forced it on mine. I wanted to throw up.

The servant shrieked. Her screams punctured my eardrums. I tried to let go, but Gaius’s hand was clamped over mine, and he forced me to continue hurting the poor maid.

“Stop!” I shouted. “Stop, please, Your Highness.”

“Gaius, that’s enough,” Rylan said.

Gaius harrumphed, then let us go.

This man was a monster. A big monster of an asshole. I glared at him, almost baring my teeth.

Gaius shrugged. “So, she’s telling the truth.”

Rylan crossed his arms. “When did these powers manifest?”

“When I was nine.” I picked my glove up from the ground and hastily slipped it back on, muttering an apology to the maid. She was recovering from her pain, but that looked like it’d take a while. She continued staring ahead, not peering at us. She hadn’t said a word. I couldn’t have touched her for more than five seconds, but even that short amount of time was too much. When I was younger, I accidentally touched a boy for too long while playing, and his mind broke. Would the same thing happen to her, too?

“Go make sure she gets medical attention,” Rylan said to Kael.

Kael straightened. “What? Me? You know how much I hate to run errands.”

“Do it anyway.”

Kael grumbled something, before lifting the maid up and cradling her. She didn’t look like she was in any condition to walk. Kael lifted her as if she were as light as a feather, and strode down the corridor, toward the infirmary.

“And with that,” Rylan said, redirecting his attention to me, “what are you?”

Micah still stood behind his two brothers, giving me the same cold stare. He hadn’t said a word since our meeting again.

I shifted my weight to my other foot. “A human, as I said earlier.”

“A witch?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never tried soul magic.”

Rylan nodded. “As is right. It’s banned. And these powers, do you know where they came from?”

“Not a clue. That’s why I came here to find Kael. So far, he’s the only interesting thing that’s happened about my curse since years. I haven’t used it in a long time.”

Rylan came up to me without warning and touched me. It was almost a bit too much for me to take. I hadn’t had contact with anyone else, not even my own parents or sister, in ages, and now was touching the crown prince. It wasn’t anything crazy, but even these small grazes were enough to make my heart palpitate.

“No reaction with me, either,” Rylan said. “Micah, could you?”

Micah strode up to me. He did as Rylan asked. “None with me.” There was a soothing quality to Micah’s voice. It was deep and smooth.

So, the four brothers were immune to my touch. What was that supposed to mean?

Rylan nodded. “You’re Sera, from the Intelligence Council?”

My eyes widened. “How did you know?”

“Tindyll sang your praises as a potential candidate. I took note.”

The comment sent a flutter through my chest.

“Walk with me, Sera.”

* * *

“Before you found out,” Rylan said, striding forward with his hands crossed behind his back, “did you see any signs?” I was gawking too much at his tattoos. They were intricate, with sharp tips and a blue tinge. I had a strange urge to run my fingers across them. Rylan’s skin was smooth, without a hint of a bump or scratch on it. He was fair-skinned, unlike Gaius, who was tanned. That made Rylan look even more like a dream.

We were strolling down a corridor, through some part of the palace that I didn’t visit often. The bricks were an orange-red, and a large garden was next to us, with vines hanging from the second floor to where we walked through.

“No, Your Highness.” I kept my head slightly lowered when with the princes. “It just happened. I was talking to the baker in the middle of the city square…” I didn’t want to revisit my memories. I’d locked them away ever since coming to Raynea.

Rylan turned to me, noting me with his electric-blue eyes. “And what happened?”

“I shook his hand. It was a friendly gesture. I was accepting bread for my father. And then he wailed, just as that maid earlier did. At first people thought the baker was ill, but the rumors had already started then. And when it kept happening to people who touched me, then we knew for certain it was a curse of mine. That was when the shunning began.” Was the maid all right? I hoped the healers in the palace could give her the right medical attention. I’d given Gaius a few angry glares. I hoped the short-haired prince hadn’t noticed.

Kael walked toward us out of nowhere. He had sent the maid to the infirmary that quickly? “What did I miss?” he asked.

“Nothing much,” Gaius said. “Just that Rylan and Micah don’t feel any pain when touching Sera either.”

“Would have been more fun otherwise.”

“Would have, huh?”

“I like you, Sera,” Kael said.

My gaze spiked toward him. “What?” His words sent a jolt through me.

“There’s a spunk in you that’s refreshing. I think you’re going to be entertaining.”

“Do you ever think of anything else?” Gaius said.

“Do you always have a stick up your ass?”

“I dare you to say that again.”

“Enough,” Rylan said. “You need to stop bickering. You’re royalty, not children.”

“And you”—Kael pointed at Rylan—“have two giant rods up yours. Thick ones. You both need to loosen up a bit.”

“Why do you keep talking about having things up asses?” Gaius asked. “Sounds like you want one.”

“Because you both walk funny. Too straight, with your heads held so artificially high.”

I thought all of them looked perfect when they walked. Graceful—except for maybe Gaius. He had a clunky quality about him, with his footsteps a bit too heavy, and his movements wider than they should be. But I was holding him to a high standard. He wasn’t as nimble as his brothers, but he exuded strength, and it looked like just a punch from him could crush a boulder.

“Anyway,” Rylan continued. “Sera, I can’t let you off so easily. This ability of yours can be useful.”

My heart sputtered in my chest. “Useful? Like, as a weapon?”

“Possibly.”

“I just want to help in the intelligence department.” And lead it at the same time. But they didn’t have to know about my ambitions. It was often to my advantage to maintain an image of doe-eyed innocence, especially amongst people of power.

“You’re a new kind of human, as well. There are strange natural phenomena happening in Constanria, with the recent increases in darmar being born, and the high summers growing longer. This might be related. Are there others like you? We need to run some tests. How far do your powers go? Is it able to kill? Are there other aspects of it which we’re not aware of?”

“I don’t want to test that, Your Highness. With all due respect, I don’t think anyone deserves to feel such pain and be tortured to death.”

Rylan nodded. “That is a respectable concern, but we have to delve deeper.”

“And who do you presume I shall kill, should my ability be able to do so? I don’t want that on my conscience.”

“It will be on mine.”

“I’ll be the one doing the deed, placing my hand on the poor soul. Even if you let me touch a convict or the like, does he deserve having his last minutes in agonizing, seemingly endless pain?”

“Perhaps we can leave the torturing for later,” Rylan said. “We still haven’t explored how your powers relate to us.”

“To you?”

“Yes. Why we’re immune to them. I believe we might spend a considerable amount of time together, so we ought to get along.”

He smiled at me when he said that, and I gave him an awkward smile back.

“This means we get to see more of her, yes?” Kael added, smirking.

Rylan ignored his brother. “Should a person with your curse be walking about freely in the palace, however?”

I stiffened at that question. “I’ve had my gloves on since I’ve entered the palace, and, until now, have kept my powers a secret. You have nothing to worry about, Your Highness.” I licked my lower lip. “I still have a lot work to do. Maybe I should go.” Before he decided he should keep me locked up in a cell. Plus, I wasn’t sure if I should be spending so much time with the princes. Would that look good in the council’s eyes? How would it affect my vote? It might work in my favor, but then again, it could also look like I was getting favoritism, and pulling strings might backfire when dealing with votes like this in Raynea.

Rylan drew his brows together. “Yes, it is likely a waste to keep someone with your talents locked up. We will meet for only an hour a day. I have my duties, and you have yours. Gaius will be able to advise us on your powers, hopefully. I feel like it’s related to soul magic, and Gaius is the best at it amongst us. Perhaps Micah, too.”

“He uses it?” I asked. “But soul magic is banned.” I hated looking at Gaius. The way he gazed at me made me feel smaller, somehow. Perhaps it was that incessant sneer ruining his handsome face. The frown on his brow was knitted too tightly and gave him too many wrinkles.

“Our father has more secrets than the court knows,” Gaius replied. “Besides, even if he were against it, what can he do after finding out? Sentence his own sons to death? You won’t be sharing this with anyone, Sera. Or else.”

I tried not to let his warning bother me too much.

“That actually sounds like something Father might do,” Rylan said.

“He wouldn’t,” Gaius said. “He’s hard on you, but that’s about it. We’re still him and Mother’s sons.”

I caught a brief change of expression flickering through Micah. That’s right. Micah probably seemed walled off because he was born out of Gisiroth’s extramarital affair. That rumor had spread throughout the whole palace. Perhaps he didn’t feel like he belonged…

Or maybe I was making assumptions. Maybe that change in his expression hadn’t meant much, and my mind was making things up.

“Too harsh, sometimes,” Rylan said, referring to the king. “Regardless, Sera, you can meet us tomorrow at our training courtyard at noon. We’ll be there. We can look into this further, but today, I need to go through more letters from the magistrates, then check on the military later.”

“The royal training grounds?” I asked. “But isn’t that only reserved for those of high rankings?”

“I will send a note to the guard to let you through. There’s a cafeteria next to it. You can enjoy your lunch there.”

“Oh, I usually have lunch with a friend.”

“Then he will be allowed through as well.”

A royal lunch, watching the princes themselves spar? Most women would kill to have such an experience. Frederick was going to lose his gods-damned mind. I smiled. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

“And I need to take a nap,” Kael said, stretching. He let out a huge yawn that was entirely un-princely.

Gaius rolled his eyes. “It’s midday. Didn’t you sleep enough last night?” Did that scowl on his face ever go away?

“Sleep is a sweet nectar you can never have enough of.”

“You could help Rylan and I with the logistics.”

Kael’s expression slumped into one of utmost boredom. “Thanks, but no thanks.” He groaned, as if the mere act of talking about work brought him pain.

Rylan shook his head. “Kael? Going through the ledgers? Have you hit your head on something, Gaius?”

“Maybe I am losing it,” Gaius said.

“How about Micah?” I blurted, trying to drag the crimson-haired prince into the conversation. He somewhat reminded me of myself during my interactions with my family. “I mean, Prince Micah. His Highness.”

“He’s a great help,” Rylan said.

Kael swung his arm around his brother’s shoulders. “Micah here’s a savant. He’s ridiculously good with numbers. Hey, Micah, what’s a thousand and sixty-two multiplied by seventy-eight?”

“Eighty-two thousand, eight hundred and thirty-six,” Micah replied without even blinking. I was the most intrigued by him.

My brows rose. “That’s impressive.”

“Isn’t it?” Kael grinned.

“Don’t use Micah’s abilities for your games,” Gaius said.

Kael waved away Gaius’s comment, continuing, “Seven thousand, two hundred and thirty-nine—”

“You’re dismissed now, Sera,” Rylan said.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” I said, bowing.

“I can escort you,” Kael interrupted.

Rylan pulled the back of his brother’s white ponytail. “You’re staying here. With us. I want Sera back in one piece tomorrow, and I don’t know if any of your tricks are going to end up with her dead.”

Kael pouted. “I wouldn’t hurt her.”

“Says the trickster.”

“Have any of your pranks ended with people dead before?” I muttered, more as a question to myself. I forgot the princes had heightened hearing, and they made out every word I said. I was worried I’d spoken out of line.

But Kael simply chuckled. “Quite a few have gone slightly too far, but no casualties as of yet. That isn’t exactly my idea of entertainment.”

“Then what is?” I asked.

“Something of a more bodily nature.” Kael turned to me. His eyes dropped to my lips, and I felt my insides coil from the way he looked at me.

“Um…”

“Like seeing people get thwacked over their heads,” he continued, spinning back around. “Harmless fun.”

“Oh, yes. That’s what you meant.” Was my blush obvious?

“And sometimes activities that can be… pleasurable.”

My breath halted.

“Don’t let us delay you,” Rylan said. “You’re one of the most productive members on the Intelligence Council. I assume that comes with its own heavy set of responsibilities. You may go.”

The four of them stopped, and I took that as my cue to leave. Kael’s words still burned in my mind as a taunting promise. I picked up my feet in the other direction and scurried away as quickly as I could. I felt their eyes watching my back, and that made my body feel like it was heating up.

I was entirely uncertain about this arrangement. It was interesting to watch the princes’ antics, but so far, I could see trouble splayed out around them. The incident with the maid left my skin crawling. I shouldn’t be hanging around with people like that.

When I turned around to look at them again, they had already rounded a corner and disappeared from sight. They felt like ethereal entities. Too beautiful to be true. Would I wake up tomorrow to find out this had been one of my silly imaginings? A dream? That would make more sense to me than what was actually happening.

I grabbed the strap of my satchel and trod down the corridor, eager to find Frederick.