As I glance at the desk behind him, a plan forms in my mind.
“Tell you what,” I say. “I’ll let you kiss me.Ifyou tell me what I want to know first and, when the time comes, help me prepare for the second Trial.”
His gaze moves to my lips. Lips I suddenly realize I’ve been biting.
I clear my throat. “Because you’re right. My kisses can kill.”
His eyes flare. I have him.
“Make it two, and we have ourselves a deal,” he growls.
I nod, offering my hand. He grins, then shakes it, his grip warm and calloused. It makes something low in my stomach twist.
Suddenly, a searing pain splits my palm. I look down to find a black mark of like a fresh burn— our bargain incarnate, a dragon tattoo right next to the shield and crosswords Cassian gave me. Two bargains in two days. I really need to stop making deals.
I look at Keiren, who holds up his own wrist with a wry smile and leans in.
“To pass tonight’s Trial,” he says, “remember this:Up is down, left is right, hot is cold, and dark is light.”
Up is down? Left is right? Could he be any more cryptic?
I stare incredulously at him. “That’s it? That’s nonsense.”
“It’s exactly what you’ll need. You’ll understand soon.”
“What kind of—”
He presses a finger gently to my lips. “Shhh. Careful, Fire. Speak again, and for every word, I’ll add another kiss to our deal.”
My mouth snaps shut. And stars help me, I don’t know if I want to run… or press myself into him.
He tilts his head. “Look who’s a fast learner.”
I gulp. The weight of what I’ve agreed to slams into me like a gut punch.
Still, I nod, bluffing hard. The truth is, I haven’t kissed anyone sincethatnight. And I’m terrified I’ve forgotten how. Well, Aaron and I kissed only a few days ago, but that was more a kiss of gratitude. Of friendship.Thisman is looking at me like he wants to devour me.
An onslaught of insecurities flashes through my mind. What if he thinks I’m an awful kisser? Will he be angry? Feel cheated? Decide I won’t live to see the dawn?
He must see my panic because he reaches to caress my face with his thumb.
Instantly, I relax.
He lowers his lips to mine. I close my eyes, bracing for contact—
But instead, his lips brush gently against my cheek. My eyes fly open in shock. His mouth lingers there for only a moment before he draws back to meet my gaze.
“One,” he says, the corner of his mouth curving into a smile, his right dimple appearing.
“What are—”
His thumb slides from my jaw to my lips, silencing me. “Careful, Fire. Now I get two more.” Now both dimples are on full display.
Shit.Whatever game he’s playing, I’m losing.
He lowers his mouth again and kisses my other cheek, light as a whisper. My breath catches.
“Two.”
