“Good morning, my radiant disasters,” Cassian drawls, his hands tucked into his coat pockets. “You’re all looking remarkably less corpse-like today.”
Mariel groans. “Go bother someone else, Cassian.”
He flashes her a grin, and I mentally note the absence of his twin—the most likely suspect, in my mind.
“Now, why would I do that when the most interesting rumor in the realm happens to be sitting right here?” His gaze flicks to me. “Tell me, Fire, how was your night in the king’s bed? Warm, I imagine.”
Vivian snorts into her cup. Cassy only stares between us.
I fix him with my best glare. “Would you like to find out how warm it feels to drown in the pool outside?”
Mae sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Cassian, stop provoking her.”
He raises his hands in mock surrender. “What? I’m only trying to lighten the mood. The king’s been prowling about like a caged beast ever since the attack. Seraphina’s already declared she’ll challenge our southern flame here once the Trials resume.”
Mariel’s eyes widen. “She said that?”
“Oh yes.” Cassian leans lazily against the doorframe. “Loudly. Something about how ‘favoritism won’t save her from fate.’ You should’ve seen her face when the king ignored her in the throneroom. She marched in, demanding an audience, and he sent me to escort her out. I think I deserve a medal.”
You deserve a swift kick in the arse, I think.
“Enough,” Mae cuts in sharply. “Cassian, it’s time for us to go. The king’s orders are clear. All of you are to rest until further notice. The next Trial will not begin until the wards are restored.” She gives me a long, meaningful look before turning to leave. “And you, my dear Fire…Trynot to make more work for me today.”
Cassian winks as he follows her out. “That’s right. Sweet dreams, Sunshine. Tell the king I said he’s welcome to try the trick I taught him.”
I throw a pillow at his head. He catches it easily and tosses it onto the chaise lounge with a mischievous laugh as the door closes behind them, and the room falls quiet again.
Mariel sighs. “He’s impossible.”
“Infuriating,” Vivian agrees, though a reluctant smile tugs at her lips.
I manage a tired laugh. “He’s lucky Mae keeps him around.”
After another hour of quiet conversation, my exhaustion finally catches up to me. I make my way toward the gardens, drawn by the promise of fresh air and silence.
The paths are warm beneath my feet, the scent of roses clinging to the breeze. I find a bench tucked between flowering vines and sink onto it, tilting my face toward the light.
For the first time since the last Trial, the world feels still.
I don’t remember falling asleep, only the faint scent of smoke and cedar and the sensation of strong arms lifting me from the bench as carefully as though I might shatter.
Keiren.
Even half-asleep, I know the steadying rhythm of his heartbeat. He carries me back to his quarters, his breath warmat my temple. And somewhere between waking and dreaming, I think I hear him whisper, “Rest now, Fire. I’ve got you.”
Chapter 30
Training
Isleep well into the following afternoon and wake to find two trays at the foot of the bed—what was breakfast and what is now lunch—and a neat pile of clothes. I eat until the trembling in my hands flees, then dress.
Supple leather pants hug my hips and thighs like they were cut specifically for my body, laced at the sides in a ladder of silver eyelets. The top is a leather corset with flexible boning that still lets me breathe and move.
When I roll my shoulders, the leather answers like a second skin. I look like the rumor they whisper about me.Fire with teeth.
I turn to find Keiren stepping back in, dressed in leathers and gloves that perfectly match mine. The shirt clings unfairlyto him, the leather molded like poured shadow. Light skims the planes of his arms, highlighting the quiet command of his stance.
“I hope you enjoyed the peace and pampering,” he says, flipping a short training sword in one hand before offering it to me hilt-first, “because that ends now.”
