“She wants to be queen?” Bron asked.
Kryth’s smile was cold. “Worse. She will want to kill all the competitors.”
Sun Court citizens didn’t know the dragons in the Undertaking were actually shifters, humans in another form. But all the clues in front of him had Bron piecing it together. His face slackened as he volleyed his gaze between Iskra and Kryth.
“You’re the minister.” His eyes assessed Kryth closely, and Iskra could tell Bron saw it hidden beneath his current features. “How—”
But Iskra didn’t have time to explain before her body shifted and entered the cage. The last glimpse she got was of Esi and Bron’s shocked open mouths, their faces white with horror.
Nine
Jasyn was in a sour mood. He had told Mych he and Esi would head to whatever destination she had planned for them alone. His friend just laughed in his face. Bron’s refusal had been extra vocal, an ‘outrageous and dangerous idea,’ as he put it.
As they all walked to town—a request made by Esi that he would never deny her—he noticed Bron more on edge than usual. Or, at least, his eyes never seemed to stray far from Esi for even a second. Of course, he wondered if there was any unrequited love there, but the way he looked at Esi was like she was a cannon ready to shoot at any moment, not someone he yearned for.
Luckily, the two guards gave them enough space to speak privately, likely Mych’s doing. He would need to thank the man later.
“Do you ever get bored of the sun?” Esi asked as she leaned her head back, soaking in the light. He had his arm linked with hers to ensure she didn’t bump into anything.
“You’re like a sundrop,” he replied, the words slipping from his mouth like oil.
She opened her eyes and gave him a quizzical look. Her eyes shone, the amber erring on the side of golden. He would never be able to look directly at the sun, but those damn eyes were like the sun rays themselves. More beautiful—and powerful too.
“And why’s that?”
He tapped her nose, unable to help himself. “You blossom in the day but hide in the night.”
He watched as her throat bobbed. He could tell she was forcing herself to keep his gaze. Hopefully, he didn’t say something to offend her. He changed the subject for her sake.
“My parents’ party is in two days. Can I count on your attendance?”
She didn’t respond at first, and he started doubting every word he had uttered to her over the last few days. She hated him. She didn’t want to marry him.
“Of course,” she replied, but it wasn’t enthusiastic. “You never answered my question, though.”
She was redirecting their conversation, which, to be fair, he had done first.
“Well, Sundrop,” he started, and he took in her content expression at the nickname as a good sign. “The sun is an extension of me. Do you get bored of your hands or your legs?”
She snorted, and the way her nose crinkled was the most beautiful sight. “No.”
“I don’t get bored of the sun, but I think it’s because of all the opportunities I’ve had to get away from it. Visits to the Snow Court are common. I love going to the Lightning Court.”
“It must be nice to have such power, to leave whenever you please.”
“It is a privilege, yes.”
Her face was now downcast, as if mulling over her sadness. He didn’t like it. She deserved to shine with joy brighter than the sun.
“We’re here.” She stopped them, and Jasyn squinted as he read the sign.
“A bakery?”
The luscious smell coming from the shop reminded him of Dahlia. She’d had a sweet tooth, and she would always bring home fresh-baked delicacies. The memory of his sister made him smile sadly, but he allowed the grief its space and then let it go to live in the present with Esi.
“You like to use your hands,” she said so quickly, the words must have not registered until she finished. Both of them blushed, but she cleared her throat. “I figured we could bake something and distribute it to the children in the square.”
He knew it was foolish, that it had only been days, but he was starting to fall for the woman in front of him. She was fiery yet so kind and understanding. She saw him so deeply, he wondered if she could read his mind.
