I shake out of his grasp. “Nothing. So,” I breathe, continuing on our previous path, “Iaspus?”
“Another time. I have business on the border.” He smirks, shaking his head as he strides away.
* Cue:Guilty As Sinby Taylor Swift
26
“Two weeks?”
Zadyn leans against the railing of the spiral staircase, arms crossed over his chest, watching as I grip the polished wooden ladder and push off the ground. I fly across the expansive tile floor, seamlessly gliding past a wall of floor-to-ceiling books.
“That’s what the king said.”
“Then you need to stop procrastinating,” he calls, eyeing me disapprovingly as I zoom past.
“You’re grouchy today.” Sighing, I hop off the ladder and saunter over to him. “Cece not putting out?”
“Hah. You’re deflecting.” He runs his hand through his caramel waves, clearly vexed by my lack of seriousness.
“I just don’t understand why no one will give me a break. I’ve got my magic, I’m kicking ass in combat—don’t I deserve a little credit for all my hard work?” I slump into a chair, really milking it.
“You have been working hard, but accessing your magic andlearning to fight was only half the battle. You still can’t even ride a horse. How do you expect to ride a dragon?”
“Well, then maybe we should be focusing on riding lessons rather than being cooped up in this castle day in and day out. Not that I’m complaining.” I gesture to the spectacular library before flopping my arms down in front of me.
Zadyn braces his hands on the edge of the table, the veins in his arms bulging. I lose my train of thought as his chiseled bicep reaches up to push his hair back again.
When does he find the time to work out?
I can’t imagine anyone beingthatnaturally blessed. That would just be unfair.
His gaze narrows suspiciously as a rogue lock of toffee-colored hair escapes and falls into his eyes. “You just want an excuse to go exploring.”
The sound of his voice snaps me back to the present moment. I give him a noncommittal shrug, still oddly disarmed by that singular wave spilling over his forehead.
“Why not kill two birds with one stone?” I ask innocently.
Twenty minutes later,Zadyn leads me to a stall at the far end of the stables. Before us stands one of the dark, majestic creatures that traveled with Jace and the twins.
“This”—Zadyn grabs a saddle from the rack on the wall—“is a Stygian horse. They are the most expensive purebreds in all of Solterre.”
“What makes them so special?” I ask, watching Zadyn dress the steed.
“Aside from the fact that they are slightly larger than your average horse, they ride five times as fast. They’re fierce and rare. Made for battle. Only the highest-ranking generals inthe Kingsguard and the richest noblemen have acquired them.”
Stepping forward, I reach a hand toward the horse. It snaps at me, bearing a full set of razor-sharp fangs as I scream in horror.
“What the fuck?!”
“Careful,” Zadyn warns lightly.
“What’s up with their teeth?”
“Stygians have razor-sharp teeth to rip apart any threat to their rider.”
“I don’t think he wants me to ride him.”
“It’s a she. And if you think that’s bad, wait until you meet Prophyria.”
