I take a seat in the alcove across from him, and he reaches down.
“What are you doing?”
In answer, he picks up my foot and begins kneading the sore muscles.
“Oh my god, that feels so good,” I groan. He laughs and shakes his head.
“You know you don’t have to do that,” I tell him after a moment of watching his skilled hands work. “I don’t think foot massages are in the job description of familiars.”
“I know I don’t have to.” He looks up into my eyes. “But I want to.”
I quietly consider his statement.
“You have to be on your game tomorrow. Can’t do that with crippled feet. Jace is tough. He’s going to be hard on you, you know.”
I sigh. “He’s already hard on me. I just don’t understand why he’s so hostile toward me all the time.”
Zadyn gives me a look, and I can almost hear him saying,don’t play dumb.
I shoot him a look back that says,I’m not. I genuinely don’t understand.
He huffs a mirthless laugh.
“It must be hard,” he says after a while. “To be around him.”
I don’t answer right away. “It’s hard to be around all of them.”
“You still love Jack,” he says, studying me. It’s not quite a question.
“I don’t know,” I answer honestly. “I don’t know anythingright now. He’s—he’s not Jack. I try to remind myself of that every time I see him. They couldn’t be more opposite.” I marvel. “Same with Sam—or Sorscha. Here, she’s this flouncy little party princess, impossible not to love. My sister is cold and removed, just like my mom.”
“And the king?” Zadyn asks, hitting a pressure point. I wince. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine. Umm…the king, I’m still figuring out. I just never thought I would see my dad’s face again.”
“For what it’s worth, I think you’re doing great. You’re handling everything considerably well.”
“Thanks,” I say flatly, thinking of all the ways I could be handling things better than considerably well. Zadyn’s hands still.
“You should probably get some rest,” he says finally.
“Put my foot down, and I will,” I tease.
He releases it quickly, and we both get to our feet. Giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze, he heads toward his suite, pausing in the threshold.
“In case no one told you tonight—” His brown eyes roam over me, warming my body. “You looked beautiful.”
Before I can say a word, he’s closed the door, leaving me alone to contemplate the faerie tale I’ve fallen into.
* Cue:Cruel Summerby Ana Done
16
Dawn comes faster than I could have possibly imagined.
Jace drags me from my room, still half-asleep. I mutter profanities under my breath as he ushers me through the castle and into a small arena-like space. A private training ring, he tells me. It’s empty except for a rack of weapons and some training equipment.
I follow Jace to the center of the ring and stand watching him with my arms crossed, half listening as he says things my brain can’t even begin to comprehend at this ungodly hour.
