“And they’re doing it quietly,” I added. “While everyone’s too busy watching the thrones crumble.”
Solei nodded, her expression unreadable. “They want us fractured. Distracted. Weak.”
And it was working.
“Do you know his name?” I asked softly, watching Solei’s hands as I dried them, the last of the blood wiped clean, but the weight of her words still heavy.
She nodded, leaning her head back against the stone wall with a sigh. “Quinn. He was in the line ahead of you when you enlisted.”
My chest tightened. “Quinn?”
Solei’s eyes flicked to mine, and I caught something almost gentle there.
“I saved his life,” she said. “He would’ve been dead if I’d been two seconds later.”
“Thank you,” I said, my voice low. “He’s a friend. Is he… is he okay?”
Solei tilted her head. “Shaken. But alive.”
“Was he scared?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said simply. “But he thanked me.”
She hesitated, and I leaned in.
“And?”
She huffed. “He asked if he could make me dinner.”
My brows shot up. “What?”
Solei gestured down to her blood-streaked tunic and battered armor. “He thought I was a court guard. Obviously.”
I bit my lip, a grin tugging at the corners. “He’s very sweet. You should consider his offer.”
She gave me a look.
“I hear he’s an excellent cook,” I added, nudging her knee.
Solei stared at me like I was insane. “Did you fall off your dragon and hit your head?”
Zander coughed behind me, clearly trying not to laugh.
I shrugged, smug. “Maybe. But I’m not the one who just got asked on a date by awarder.”
Solei groaned and buried her face in her hands. “I should’ve let the assassin nick me just enough to avoid this conversation.”
But she didn’t stop smiling.
I looked at Solei, studying her expression as she rubbed absently at her bruised knuckles. “Why can’t you date a warder?”
She lifted a brow at me, like I’d just asked her why dragons breathe fire.
“They’re not involved in court politics,” I continued. “Even the Order doesn’t touch them.”
“That’s true,” she admitted, tone wary. “Healers and warders are off-limits… unless they betray the crown.”
I tilted my head. “The crown, or Cyran?”
