He gasped in surprise. “What are you doing?”
“Alistair mended your insides, but not the hole in your side.” Summoning Siotha to my hand, I ripped through his tunic with the icy blade.
The pained grimace on Ferris’ face quickly twisted into a smirk. “I knew you couldn’t wait to tear my clothes off.”
Lowering Siotha, I met his eye, but said nothing.
“Shit.” Ferris closed his eyes and laid his head back. “I managed to make it so far without flirting, too.”
Despite myself, a shallow chuckle escaped my lips. Grabbing the bandages, I gently wrapped them around the gash.
“Hm.” Ferris laid an arm over his eyes. “I didn’t think you could be gentle.”
“I fish,” I reminded him. “I have to be delicate with the line, at least.”
He breathed out a laugh. “Diar, you are . . . strange.”
“What does that make you, if you can’t resist flirting with me?”
“Believe you me, I know exactly what I am.”
Heavy steps echoed outside, and the door slammed open. Tying off the bandage, I turned toward the door.
Agendra strode into the room. “Is the Solheart rat gone?”
“You might catch him,” I said. “If you hurry.”
“Pah.” Agendra strode to the window and peered outside. A second man entered the room and gently tapped the door closed behind him.
I recognized his gentle eyes. Keiji—the guard I'd met when we first arrived.
"I told you to sleep with one eye open," he said, planting a hand on the armrest and studying Ferris. “Most of the men I'm stationed with would rather fistfight the lord Paragon than take orders from a woman."
Agendra's handshake had nearly brought me to my knees. I couldn't imagine fighting him.
The Paragon backed away from the window. "We can’t stay here. I’ve mulled over a thousand speeches.” He turned to me. “Nothing will forgive what you’ve done—justified or not.”
My hand curled into a fist. At the time, my conviction had been absolute—every man who tried to take Siotha from me would meet my blade.
Now, I realized it was just another of my reckless exploits. I never thought things through.
Akemi had always been right. And I’d never learned.
“But.” Agendra folded his arms. "The prince here was smart to get wounded on your behalf. It gives us an edge.”
"Mhm," Ferris murmured. "It was all part of my plan."
"I can't cover for you," Keiji said. "But I can act as a witness. Testify that I saw you being attacked, unprompted. Against the Archdruid's orders."
“We need to leave Muirashi while the dust settles,” Agendra added. “And bypass the Archdruid altogether.”
I shifted to the edge of the couch. “How do we do that?”
“The crown of Forlaith has final say in all things.” He paused. “I received an invitation. One I intended to decline, considering the circumstances, but now . . . ”
Ferris sat up. “Lady Brighid’s wedding. It's more than a mere ceremony—the Queen and the Lecovair will be there.”
“As will Reese, I imagine,” Agendra added.
