My eyes fly open. Serenya is pressed against me, face buried in my chest. My heart slams against my ribs, gooseflesh rippling over my skin.What the hells?The last thing I remember was the trial…standing in the courtyard, waiting for her. Did I pass out? Where am I? No…better question—why is Serenya asleep next to me—in my arms?
“Serenya…” My voice is rough, careful.
She stirs, tightening her arms around me. A second later, she jolts upright, stiffening. Cold floods the space where she’dbeen, and I instantly regret waking her.Damn, I love holding her.
Her hands cover her face. “Oh no, Koen. I’m sorry. You were hurt, and I healed you, but you wouldn’t wake up, so I brought you here. I meant to sleep in the chair—I should have. But my bed is so big, and I thought it’d be fine. I didn’t mean—” She cuts herself off, lowering her hands. Her gaze catches mine.
I’ve leaned back against the headboard, arms folded behind my head, watching her ramble. She’s adorable when she does this. She did the same after saving me from the mawless. It was hard not to smile then, too. Her eyes go to my biceps, then flick to my chest and dart away just as quickly, a flush rising to her cheeks. I smirk.
A throat clears.
We both turn. Torin and Alira stand at the foot of the bed. Torin’s brows are raised, all steel and no humor, while Alira grins like it’s the best thing she’s seen all year.
Serenya’s eyes widen. Neither of us had noticed them. All my attention had been on her. Her braid has loosened, black strands spilling around her face. She’s in a silk black nightdress. No wonder I hadn’t seen anyone else. She always has all my attention.
“Get up,” Torin snaps. “The second stage of the trial begins today, and you’ll be late. Again.”
Serenya’s shock hardens into irritation. “What’s your problem, Torin?” she fires back.
My brows rise. I drop my arms, desire gone in an instant.
“You’re not taking the trials seriously,” he bites out. “You distract contestants with trips tocandy stores.You interfere mid-trial when thepoint is survival. You vanish for a month, forcing Alira and me to cover for you. And now, I find youinbedwith a contestant.” His voice is venom, arms crossed tight.
Her irritation sparks into full anger, heat that matches my own. I don’t know what’s happened between them, but I don’t like the way he’s speaking to her. My mouth opens, but Serenya beats me to it.
She scoffs. “Is this still about my month away?”
“Are you going to tell us where you were?”
Her eyes narrow. “No.”
“Stop acting like a child. You’re to be our queen in mere weeks.”
“You’re the one acting like a child, Torin. What I do with my time isn’t your business unless I make it your business. You’re not entitled to answers.”
“You’re both acting like children!” Alira cuts in, her usual playfulness gone. “Torin, she’s right. She doesn’t owe us anything.”
Serenya winces. “That’s not—”
Alira interrupts firmly. “Serenya, I hope you’ll trust us enough to tell us. But know you don’t have to. I’ll always be here, no matter what.” She exhales. “Now, both of you will be late. Torin brought fresh leathers for Koen.” She nods at the chair. “We’ll give you privacy.”
The door shuts behind them, leaving silence in their wake.
“Hey—” I start, but since this is Serenya, of course sheinterrupts me before I can finish.
“I’ll change in the washroom,” she blurts, already fleeing into it before I can say a word.
By the time she returns, I’m strapping on my sword. We leave in silence, her tower chambers making the walk long and winding.
After a while, I can’t help myself. I finally ask the question that hasn’t left my mind. “So…wherewereyou last month?” My voice is low, careful.
She falters, then answers. “I was re—”
“I swear to thegods, Serenya, if you say resting…” My irritation bleeds through.
She sighs. “I was in Noctheron. That is all I will say for now. I’ll explain later.”
I study her face, see the quiet plea there, and nod once. “Fine.”
