Chapter 2

Marina's POV

"Hand me that ribbon, will you?"

Coral said, the same tone she'd used a last life ago when she wanted something from me.

I picked up the silk ribbon from the pile of wedding decorations scattered across her bed. Her room had transformed overnight into something out of a fairy tale, all white lace and gold trim with gifts from Dragon King Thalassos piled in every corner.

"Here." I held it out to her.

She snatched it from my hand without a thank you, too busy admiring herself in the full-length mirror. The wedding gown she wore was stunning, layers of pearl-white silk that caught the afternoon light streaming through her window.

She always did love mirrors.

"What do you think?" She turned and the fabric swirled around her ankles. "Beautiful, isn't it? Dragon King Thalassos had it made specially for me."

"Very beautiful."

"You know what's funny?" She adjusted the neckline, still watching herself. "In another life, this could have been you wearing this dress."

My hands stopped moving on the jewelry box I was organizing.

"But it's not." She met my eyes in the mirror with a sharp smile. "It's me. I'm the one marrying him. I'm the one who'll become Dragon Queen."

"Yes, sister. You are."

She turned around fully now, studying my face. "You don't seem upset about it."

"Why would I be upset? You saved the Dragon King's life. You deserve this happiness."

"Do I?" She walked closer, circling me. "You know, I've been thinking about something strange lately. About choices. About second chances."

Here it comes.

"What do you mean?"

She stopped directly in front of me. "If someone lived through something once, experienced certain things, suffered certain consequences... do you think they'd try to change it if they got another chance?"

I looked up at her and our eyes met and held.

"Maybe," I said carefully. "Depends on what they lived through."

Her hand shot out and grabbed my wrist with fingers digging into my skin hard enough to bruise.

"You remember." It wasn't a question. "You remember everything, don't you?"

I didn't answer but I didn't need to. She saw the truth in my face.

The door slammed shut.

Coral's nails dug deeper into my wrist as she yanked me closer. "How long? When did you realize?"

"Does it matter?"

"It matters!" She shoved me backward and I stumbled against her dresser. "You thought you could steal him again, didn't you? Thought you could play the hero, save the Dragon King, pop out his babies and live happily ever after?"

"I didn't—"

"Shut up!" Her hand fisted in my hair and pulled. The pain shot through my scalp. "I spent a hundred years watching you. Watching him look at you like you were special. Watching your sons treat you like a queen while I had nothing. Nothing!"

Tears stung my eyes but I kept my voice steady. "I know, sister."

"This time is different." She twisted harder and I gasped. "This time I'm the one he saved. I'm the one he's marrying. And you're going to stay far, far away from him."

"I will. I promise—"

"Promises mean nothing!" She grabbed my arm and her fingers dug into the flesh hard enough to leave marks. "Listen carefully, Marina. If you even think about getting close to Thalassos, if you even look at him wrong, I will make your life hell. Do you understand?"

"I understand."

"Good." She released me suddenly and I stumbled. "Because I have a hundred ways to destroy you. Don't test me."

I lowered my head and played the picture of submission. "Yes, sister. I understand."

She smoothed her hair and her dress, transforming back into the blushing bride in seconds. "Now get out. I need to finish preparing."

I left without another word with her threats still ringing in my ears.

The wedding day arrived with perfect weather.

Sunlight painted the settlement square gold and every woman, child, and elder had gathered to witness history. Coral's wedding to Dragon King Thalassos was the first time a mixed-blood would marry pure dragon royalty.

I stood near the back wearing my simplest dress, trying to blend into the crowd.

The ceremony was about to begin when Coral's scream cut through the celebration.

"My necklace! Mother's necklace is gone!"

The crowd fell silent. Elder Maren, our settlement leader, hurried to Coral's side. "What's missing?"

"Mother's heirloom necklace!" Coral's voice was pure panic but her eyes swept the crowd until they found me. "The one she gave me before she died. Someone stole it!"

My stomach dropped.

Oh no.

"Search the settlement," Elder Maren commanded. "Find it."

I knew what was coming.

It took them less than ten minutes to find the necklace in my room, sitting on my table in plain sight.

They dragged me to the square. The crowd parted and I saw Elder Maren's face, saw the way her jaw tightened when they placed the necklace in her hand.

She looked at where they'd found it, then at Coral who was crying prettily into her hands, and then at me.

For just a second our eyes met. In that moment I saw it, the knowledge in her gaze and the understanding that this was a setup.

But she looked away.

"Marina." Her voice was heavy and tired. "How could you do this? On your sister's wedding day?"

"I didn't—"

"The evidence is clear." She wouldn't meet my eyes again. "You stole your sister's heirloom. This is unforgivable."

"As punishment, you are forbidden from attending the ceremony at Dragon King's castle. You will remain in the settlement during the celebration."

Coral lifted her head from her hands with tears still wet on her cheeks, but her eyes were triumphant. "Oh, Marina. Why would you do this to me? I've always loved you..."

The crowd murmured and sympathy flowed toward Coral like water.

"I accept the punishment," I said quietly.

I understood. Coral was about to become Dragon Queen and the settlement's greatest protection. Elder Maren couldn't afford to offend her even if it meant sacrificing justice.

The wedding procession formed. Coral climbed into the ornate carriage that would take her to Dragon King's castle, still dabbing at her eyes and still playing the wounded sister.

She looked back at me one last time as the carriage pulled away.

I stood in the square watching her leave, surrounded by the crowd that had just witnessed my humiliation.

Go ahead, sister. Go to your wedding.

Your 'good days' are just beginning.