Page 28 of King of Fire and Flames

She gave me a gray-toothed smile. “The offer was for my hand, obviously.”

“Oh, I see. And so your life was ruined, ended, because that asshole didn’t want you.”

“Something like that.” Ruhh’s smile twisted. “Which makes me the perfect person to help you end him.”

“Who said I wanted to kill Arrow?” I asked.

“What woman betrayed by a male doesn’t at least wish to rip his eyes from his sockets or slice his cock from his pants?”

“Likely none,” I replied.

Ruhh clapped her hands. “Then it’s settled. We will talk more soon. I’m certain you’ll find my plan appealing.”

“Plan?” I asked, leaving the window seat and heading toward the bathroom to pour water over my stinging back. “What plan?”

Without answering my question, Ruhh’s gray gown burst into flames, and she disappeared, leaving me to wonder if her hatred for Arrow was good news or bad news.

Knowing my luck, likely the latter.

Chapter 9

Leaf

On my seventh day as the Fire Court’s guest, Esen burst through my chamber door at lunchtime. “Get up, Zali. The king requires you for the second event.”

“Now?” I asked, choking on a mouthful of flatbread as I sat in the window seat, still wearing my nightgown. “During the day?”

“Yes, now,” said Esen, crossing her arms. “It’s in the Fen Forest, where it always feels like nighttime. So you could wear your sleeping attire if you really wanted, but I recommend you hurry up and put your leathers on instead.”

Since the previous event, I’d spent the last four days recovering in my room. And hiding from Arrow—let’s not forget that.

And, yes, I knew I had work to do… Taln City’s layout to study, the mystery of my arrest to unravel, an ex-lover to murder. But while my body was weakened and vulnerable, I couldn’t bear what the sight of Arrow might do to my heart.

So I’d taken the cowardly option and hidden in my chamber.

I pushed a tray of food along the sill, and a pile of books tumbled to the floor. “Are you going to stand there and watch me get dressed?”

“I’ve seen it all before when Arrow paraded you around Coridon dressed in glittering strips of cloth.”

Rolling my eyes, I rose from the window seat, pulled my nightgown off, then tugged on leather pants and a snug, molded leather corset, compliments of the Fire Court, before flinging a new cloak around my shoulders. Flames and tiny dragon wings decorated the thick material, a vast improvement on Arrow’s cloak adorned with golden feathers.

“What can you tell me about today’s event, Esen?”

“Nothing.”

“Please, I know you’ve never liked me, but think about this: we’re just two girls being used by males and doing our best to survive. We’re the same, don’t you think? Help me, Esen. Give me a chance to beat them.”

She chewed her lip, avoiding my gaze, but I could tell her resistance was softening.

“Aren’t you tired of being used by them, too?” I asked.

She kept her eyes on my boots as I laced them up, her face blank. Then she threw her hands in the air. “Fine. I want to hate you, Zali. I really fucking do. But Azarn is an arrogant prick, and I wouldn’t mind wiping the smug smile off his face. So perhaps I will give you some tips, after all.”

“Azarn hopes I’ll die in one of the events, doesn’t he?”

“I don’t think he cares either way. What he really wants is chaos. Lives for that shit. If you did die, he’d have an excuse to attempt to gain control of the gold trade by fucking with Arrow and the Zareen.”

“Sounds like the Fire King should be eliminated, not me,” I said. “As long as it serves their disgusting schemes for power, tyrants don’t care how many people die horrible deaths in their name.”

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