His voice has grown more faint, so I move into the second room.The bed coverlet is softer than anything I’ve ever touched, even softer than the downy feathers on the baby chicks that Callyn has in the barnyard every spring. The fabric is a faint blue that matches the morning sky outside the window. I was going to open the wardrobe to see what clothes I might find, but a mirror is bolted to the wall beside the archway into the washroom, and I catch a glimpse of myself.
I almost do a double take. Specks of blood and dirt everywhere. My hair is a wild mess of tangles.
I do not belong in this room.
“Jax.”
I blink and look over. “Yeah.”
“Do you mind if Master Garson asks you to start with horses?”
“No. Yes. Horses are fine.”
I must sound unsettled, because he stops in front of me again. “You’ll feel better once you’ve had time to rest. You need to eat, too.” He leans in, and for a breathless moment, I think he’ll finish whatever we started against the door—but he inhales and whispers, “And take a bath.”
I grin and shove him away.
I half expect him to tussle again, but he doesn’t. He takes a step back and stops by the table where he left the food. He hesitates, and his expression turns the tiniest bit uncertain. “And . . . ?if it pleases you, I’ll return before sundown to fetch you for dinner.”
He sounds so formal. As if I’d say no. As if I won’t be counting the minutes until he returns.
But I match his tone and nod sagely. “Why, yes of course, Lord Tycho. But only if it pleases you similarly.”
For the first time, a hint of a blush findshischeeks, and he frowns, glancing away. I can feel his unease, his distress. I want to tackle him and beg him to stay, to let his demons settle and go quiet. I want to wrap my arms around his neck and not let go.
But I think of what he said about needing to report to the castle.I think about what he said aboutdiscretion, and how people will talk.We’ve probably been alone in here long enough.
Regardless, he’s already moving toward the door. He pauses there, looking back at me. “Be well, Jax.”
I have to force myself to remain still. “Be well, Tycho.”
And then he’s gone.
CHAPTER 6
TYCHO
I thought everything would be easier when we got to Ironrose.
Imagine my surprise that it’s not.
Despite my exhaustion, I hardly slept. Every fiber of my being is urging me to stride out of the castle, cross the grounds, and rap on Jax’s door. I want to chase the worry out of his hazel-green eyes. I want to lead him onto the training fields and teach him everything I know, so he’ll never have to worry about anyone hurting him ever again. I want to find every single person who might mean him harm so I can show them what a mistake that would be.
I want to inhale his breath and listen to his heartbeat and pretend the world doesn’t exist for a while.
The king should be here, by your side,defendingyou.
His words stoked a flame in my heart that hasn’t dimmed—and my loyalty to Grey nearly made me turn it into an argument. My chest feels tight, resentment sitting in my gut.
It’s making it difficult to pay attention to what Prince Rhen is saying. We’re in his strategy room, late afternoon sun beaming throughthe windows. He’s been making notes along a slip of parchment while he talks. He looks better rested than I am, but he was already awake and working when I finally made my way in here.
“I’ve started preparing an accounting of what happened for Grey,” Rhen says. “I’ve also sent word to the nearest cities for reports on whether there have been any other scraver attacks. I will wait for a response, but I will not detain you longer than a day. If there is a chance that violent scravers seek a magesmith, my brother needs to know as soon as possible.”
I go still at those words. My blood turns to ice.
I will not detain you longer than a day.
If he didn’t have my full attention a minute ago, he does now.
