He lifts his warm brown eyes to mine. His smile is heartbreaking. I clasp his hand tighter and peer into his eyes, his soul. We stare at each other for a long time, recognizing the loss and grief each of us knows so well. We bear twin scars.
After a moment, he clears his throat, casually slipping his hand from mine.
“The king wants me to sit on his council, to take my father’s old position as his emissary.”
My eyes widen.
“Zadyn, that’s great. Is that…do you want that?” He leans forward, resting his elbows on the table.
“It’ll give me something to do, some purpose besides babysitting your ass.” He gives me a sharp poke in the ribs, and I swat him away.
“Well, I think it’s a great idea.” I fold my napkin on the table. “You’re a natural-born courtier. You’re charismatic, easy-going. You make talking with people, with strangers, look like nothing.”
He tips his head in thanks, reaching for his wine. “How was flying?”
“You mean falling?” I scoff, shaking my head. “It’s impossible.”
“You said that about freeing your magic, about learning to fight, too. And now look at you.”
I sigh, tossing him a withering look. “I stayed airborne for about five seconds.”
“Gotta start somewhere. If you fall off a dragon during flight, those five seconds could be a matter of life and death.”
I smack my lips together loudly. “Noted. I wish you would have stayed. You’re a better teacher than Jace. A kinder one, at least.”
“It seemed like you two were getting on just fine.” Zadyn drums his fingers on the table lightly, his eyes fixed on the fireplace. A tense moment passes as he holds his breath.
“Serena. I’m only going to ask you this once,” he cautions slowly. I swallow, knowing where this conversation is headed.
“It seems like something’s going on between you two.”
“That’s not a question,” I say quietly as he slides his gaze to me.
Serena,he seems to say without words.
What?
What are you doing?
I’m not doing anything. There’s nothing going on between me and Jace.
Anyone with eyes can see it.
I shove to my feet, needing to put some space between us.
“It’s complicated,” I say aloud, stopping in front of the fireplace.
“I just think you need to be careful.”
I bristle, remembering Marideth’s same warning to me weeks ago.
Is it really that obvious?
“I’ve got it under control,” I say a touch defensively, trudging over to my bed. The plushy comforter envelopes me as I flop down on my back.
“Serena.” Zadyn’s voice is stern as he follows me and leans against the bedpost. “He is all but engaged. To theprincess.”
“Iknowthat, Zadyn. That’s why I told you there is nothing. Going. On. Okay?” I punctuate each word sharply. “We stopped it,” I add, almost to myself.
