I rubbed my thumb over the markings. A slow wave of warmth spread through me, melting into my limbs, loosening every muscle in my body.
I straightened up off the cot.A glyph.And from the feel of it, a warmth talisman. I’d heard of them, seen them used, but never held one myself. I turned it over again, stunned. The heat curled through me, gentle and comforting.
Someone had bound a spell to this, probably a fire mage from the Red Phoenix Dominion. But anyone could activate a glyph, whether they had magic or not.
No wonder the noble families stayed rich. If they could sell these…trade them…hoard them…
This one was valuable. Especially now, with trade between dominions all but stopped after the Annihilation. Awarmthglyph. And I’d stolen it.
The possibilities spun through me, how much we could sell it for. Perhaps we’d have a proper house built—or secure passage tosome other dominion where we might have a better life. We could—
Except…none of that was possible now. Tomorrow I’d be dead in the Arena.
“I take it you’ve figured out what it is you picked off me,” a voice rumbled, startling me. I stood, tucking the glyph in my palm behind my back—as if Blake couldn’t just open the cell and take it from me if he wanted.
“You can have it back once I’m dead,” I snipped. “Won’t have to wait long.”
He stepped forward, opened the door, and set a small basket inside. Then he swung the door shut again. I waited until he planted himself against the wall before I crouched down to peek inside.
Steamed buns, some with thin slices of pork between them, and a clay pitcher of water. I bit back my thanks. He hadn’t had to bring this, but then he didn’t have to lock me up either. My last meal. I thought of the gruel and scallion pancake that had been Edith’s last meal before Flame struck her and felt guilt pool in my belly. Still, she would tell me to hoard my strength for the morning. I wouldn’t waste it.
Blake watched me carefully as I took the bun and sat back on the mat. He matched me, sliding his broad form to the floor, knees bent, boots heavy against the stone.
“Flame’s behavior around you was unusual,” Blake said, his voice low and quiet, the snip of his aristocratic accent somehow softer.
I shrugged. “I didn’t sing for her.”
His brow dipped. That wasn’t what he’d been asking, but he was clearly thinking about it now.
I tried to cut off his line of questioning before it began. “What should I expect? For tomorrow.”
My question felt vulnerable, fingers playing again with theglyph as I avoided his piercing ice blue eyes. I could feel their intensity on me.
“The tygers always target Azures during the Bonding, whether the Azures have any shapeshifter magic or not,” he admitted. Defeat rolled through me, my vision going hazy for a moment.
“Why are you doing this?”
“Bondings are sacred. They aren’t a place to punish Azures or rebels.” Blake’s jaw tightened. “You’ll have to trust that I know what I’m doing. I have my reasons.”
“Trust you? You have to be joking,” I sputtered out. “You’ve basically admitted that survival is impossible. Azures don’t Bond tygers. I can’t even hope to get out of that Arena alive.”
His eyebrow lifted, a sharp look. “Not even for your friend?”
“Please…is she—”
“She’s fine. I would have sent a man to check whether you’d asked or not. But she won’t be fine if you perish to a tyger.”
Relief coursed through me. I cleared my throat, eyes darting down to watch the glyph spin in my fingers. “Has an Azure ever Bonded with a tyger before?”
“Bonding does not follow our laws. It is natural and involuntary. When you Bond with a tyger, it is an instant connection. Almost overwhelming. But each time is different. It’s instinctual. You just know.”
I bit my lip. “You didn’t answer my question.”
Another hard clench of his jaw, his eyes darting away from me. “It’s late. Sleep,” he commanded, though he made no move to leave.
“With you staring at me?” I asked, incredulous.
“I don’t trust you.”
