His eyes lingered on my bruised neck, sadness darkening his expression. ‘I thought you were safe. I left Michael to watch over you, and in one day you could have died twice.’
I couldn’t help a dry laugh. Death seemed fond of me. ‘It’s a talent.’
A corner of his mouth lifted. ‘Life with you is really something, little witch.’
‘Like in a life-sentence kind of way?’
Amusement danced in his eyes. ‘No, you can escape prison. I’m stuck with you.’
Fear fluttered beneath my ribs, but I asked anyway, ‘So what exactly have you been suspecting about Mummy Dearest?’
‘I think she might be a blood witch.’
My mind spun. ‘But they were outcast to another realm. How is that possible?’
‘There are plenty of things that don’t make sense about your mother.’ His limbs stretched, then he leaned back. ‘Go to sleep.’
Restless, I lay there, thoughts racing. River stayed in the chair, watching me. His gaze kept drifting over me, sharp and unreadable, almost murderous when it reached my neck.
He didn’t know who the attacker was. Probably a spy. Not that it mattered; he had scorched the man before anyone could ask questions.
That part I understood. But why stay? Why watch me like I might vanish in my sleep? It felt unnecessary.
‘It’s creepy,’ I muttered, too tired to hold back.
Resting elbows on his thighs, he looked as if he needed the rest himself. ‘What now?’
I glared. ‘You’re watching me sleep.’
‘What’s creepy about it?’ he asked, cracking his fingers to stay awake.
‘You’re staring like some creep in the shadows.’
He hissed dramatically, without a bite. ‘Listen, witch, close those pretty eyes and get some rest because I’m not going easy on you tomorrow.’
‘What does that mean?’ The idea of spending time together sounded far too appealing.
‘Your fire training,’ he promised, his tone growing softer. ‘I can’t let you embarrass me like this any longer.’
‘What the— I’m sorry my near-death experience embarrassed you.’
‘Tremendously so.’
I raised my head to meet his eyes. ‘Are you serious?’
‘Deadly,’ he replied with a smirk.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Avari
‘I’m just saying, maybe it’s at its capacity.’ Training frustrated me. I lost track of how many times River had ordered me to let my fire roam freely around us, and once again, all I managed were the usual embers flickering at my palm.
It was shameful.
His scornful expression got under my skin like an annoying muscle twitch I couldn’t shake off. It crawled there, fidgeting and causing unrest, eventually demanding attention and eliciting a reaction. He needed to get off his high horse.
‘It’s probably inconceivable for someone who walks around with a whole arsenal of flames, but I never have,’ I rebutted, feeling worn out and humiliated.
