I had to focus. I couldn’t afford to fall apart now. This was my last chance to make things right before he left us all here in the ruins.
“My brother, Tay, is dying. I was trying to find a way to save his life without taking Lidi’s magic—” My damned voice broke on her name, but I went on, pretending that I hadn’t heard it, even though Fieran’s face twisted with sympathy…or guilt. “But now I need…”
He waited for me to finish, then added for me, “Help.”
The word struck me like a slap. “I didn’t need help until you ruined my plans.”
“I know.” His tone was measured, careful. “I’ll take care of your brother. Our healers can preserve his life while I negotiate a Fae cure. But I’m about to ruin your plans again.”
How had he said so easily that he’d take care of Tay? I was still stuck on his careless promise when I finally registered his threat. “What?”
“I have to head back to the capital,” he said. “And you’ll come with me.”
My emotions tangled together in a painful knot: anger, grief, responsibility for my family, disappointment, and a sharp sting of fear. He had to know my secret. My body felt hollowed out, as if there was nothing left of me save these emotions.
“Save my brother’s life, then.” I raised my chin sharply.
I didn’t dare provoke him when Tay needed him.
But I despised him, for making me scrape for the shreds of my dreams.
He was studying me with that damned intrusive gaze. Only the knowledge that I needed him—needed this arrogant, infuriating shifter—kept me from trying to strangle him with my bare hands.
“You’re lying to me.” His eyes burned gold, too bright, too knowing. “I want to help your brother, Cara. But you have to come with me. There’s no tricking or lying your way out of that.”
“Why?” My voice came out raw, brittle, the question tearing from me like something broken loose.
I already knew, but I had to hear the accusation.
He stepped closer, the air between us sparking with heat.
Then his hand rose, fingers brushing my jaw before sliding to my throat. His palm was warm, his touch maddeningly gentle. When his fingertips grazed the mark on my skin, the world seemed toignite.
Fire roared beneath my flesh. My pulse stuttered. The mark flared to life like a brand being pressed against me from the inside.
I gasped, heat and fury tangled until I couldn’t make sense of my emotions.
“You belong with your own kind. You’re not one of them. You never were,” he said softly, his voice rough with something I couldn’t name. His thumb brushed my jaw, almost tender. Then, with the faintest ghost of a smile, he added, “Little dragon.”
The words sank into me like a curse.
Sixteen
Iraised my chin to Fieran. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Cara.” He sounded disappointed, which was really something, given he had ruined my life today.
I didn’t owe him honesty.
I owed him something sharper.
“You can’t hide here. You are going to be found out.” His gaze felt intrusive, as if he could see to my soul, and I despised him for it. “How old are you?”
“Twenty,” I lied automatically, knowing that was the last year one was allowed to present themself for the Dragon Trials. Not that anyone showed themselves so late. Those who were dragon-marked proudly trained for years, beginning in early childhood.
He crossed his arms impatiently, as if he were holding himself back from throwing me over his shoulder and carrying me off. “If you don’t come with me now, you’ll be caught by the curse.”
That last word,curse, landed like a spark on my skin. “The curse?”
