I swallowed hard. “My sister is out there alone.”
Elwen’s expression softened. “Kairos spent a century away from me. I know what that separation costs, but if you die trying to reach her, you’ll never find her at all.”
A heavy presence shifted behind me, and the hairs on my neck rose. My heart slammed into my ribs. I kept my eyes fixed on my teacup, willing myself not to look. Maybe if I didn’t acknowledge him, he’d vanish.
“Aelie.”
My hands tightened around the cup. I forced myself to turn.
Kairos leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. No smirk.
Uther grinned. “Morning. Sleep well?”
“Aelie,” Kairos said hoarsely. “Can we talk?”
I set down my fork. “Unless it’s a groveling apology, don’t bother.”
“Now.”
Uther cleared his throat. “And that’s our signal to leave, Elle.”
Elwen smirked, rising. “Try not to burn down the dining hall, you two.”
They slipped out, closing the door behind them.
Kairos threw himself in the seat beside me. He looked terrible. Dark shadows sat under his eyes, and a faint red mark peeked above his collar where I’d sucked on his neck.
My face burned.
I’d marked him. That shouldn’t have sent a thrill through me, but it did.
He sighed. “Letters from enemy kings to people in my realm, especially to you, represent a threat.”
“You think I’mconspiringwith him.”
“He’s using old attachments to manipulate you. I can’t allow that vulnerability.”
“So burning the letter in front of me wasstrategic.”
“Yes.”
His knuckles were white where they gripped the table.
I leaned in, hissing. “If that were true, you would’ve done it privately. Not in the middle of a damned party!”
“Public displays send messages. To him and to my court.”
“What message? That you’re a brute?”
His throat bobbed. “I’m trying to protect you from him.”
“You went through my private things. We had an agreement.”
“Your room smelled like him!” He let out a frustrated growl. “I walked in and all I could think about was his hands on you.”
Heat flooded my face.
“I had to know what he wrote. What hold he still has over you. I can’t stand the thought of you keeping his words close when I?—”
