A soft snarl echoed down the hall.
“I have told you,” Sebastian said, hazel eyes blazing with something Ciana had only seen a few times before, “that there isnothingwrong with you, Ciana.”
Ciana drew in a sharpened inhale, her heart pounding against her ribs. Something about his gaze, the set of his shoulders, the intense curve of his handsome brow…it was drawing her toward him, pulling her into his orbit, summoning her into the safety and warmth of his embrace?—
Nik cleared his throat. Ciana jolted. She swung back to the king, warmth blooming up her cheeks.
Oops.
The king’s gaze again danced between her and Sebastian, but thankfully, he said nothing. “I’m sorry to hear that you see yourself that way, Ciana,” he finally said. “But I agree with the words of the Armature.” He gave Sebastian a wary smile, then continued down the hall.
“Where are we going?” Ciana blurted, then cringed. Tactful.
Nik only cast her a warm, sidelong glance. “I also wanted to express how I hope nothing that has happened will impact the relationship we hope to build between our two nations.”
“Of course, it hasn’t.” Ciana fought the urge to twist her hands. “But I’m not sure that answers my question.”
Nik held his soft smile, leading them around a corner.
Somehow, amidst the conversation, Ciana had failed to pay attention to where in the palace they were. Had failed to mark the familiar hallways, the path she’d been led down before.
Not until the nearly hidden carved doors appeared before them did she realize where the king had taken them.
Strange, elated relief flooded through her. She whirled to Nik, not bothering to hide her glee. “The archives? You’re not revoking our access?”
Nik reeled back, as if slapped. “Revoke your access? Why in the gods’ names would I do that?”
Ciana’s neck heated. “I-I don’t know.”
The king chuckled. “I offered you access as a sign of good faith to Onita, Lady Visseau,” he said warmly. “I have no intention of taking that from you. I just wanted to escort you today, to remind you that you can still come here…and, of course, to say my peace.”
Ciana’s smile was genuine. “Thank you, Nik.”
“You’re welcome, Ciana.”
Sebastian’s presence warmed her back. “Yes,thank you, Your Majesty.”
The king blanched, gaze lifting over Ciana’s shoulder. He dipped his head, swallowing, and took a slightly stumbling step toward the archives.
Ciana weakly elbowed Sebastian in the ribs. “That was a bit unnecessary. He was being perfectly respectful,” she hissed.
“I don’t like the way he says your name.”
“And how, exactly, does he say my name?”
“Like he still thinks I’ll share.”
Niktael swung open the archives’ doors. Sebastian stepped around Ciana, giving the king another tight nod.
If Nik noticed the furious pink that was surely staining her cheeks as she followed Sebastian, he didn’t comment on it.
A kind, aged man greeted them just inside the entrance of the massive, sprawling dome. The trees high above twinkled, those terrifying death contraptions wheeling their way up and down the massive trunks.
“Welcome back to the Archives of Elyren. I am Georgios, the head archivist. King Niktael has instructed me to show you to a private research room and help you find whatever texts you might be looking for.”
Ciana turned, finding Niktael’s gaze. He gave her another kind smile, dipping his head.
“Find what you came here for, Lady Visseau,” he said. “I hope the knowledge of Vatha is enough to bank the flames of war.” The king turned on his heel, boots clicking on the smooth floor. Ciana shared a fleeting, burning look with Sebastian before they both faced the head archivist.
