Page 129 of The Serpent’s Shadow

“The rain has let up. The academy might close its gates again soon. Surely after this weekend.”

“That . . . doesn’t answer my question.”

He stepped closer, until our bodies were nearly pressed together, and the heat came off him in waves. In fact, for an ice elementalist, he was surprisingly warm. And dry.

How the hell did the rain not touch him?

Arne lowered his voice, blue eyes dancing over my shoulders to make sure no one was eavesdropping. “You asked me to find the elf. I did. You asked me to take you to him. I will. Right now, while everyone is hunkered down, readying for sleep.”

“I . . .” Stopping, gulping, I tried again. “Does he know I’m coming?”

“Of course. I told him where to wait every night for a week. This will be the third evening he’ll be waiting and he will miss you, unless we go now. Wouldn’t want to leave the man hanging, no?”

I nodded diligently. No, I certainly didn’t want to keep Corym waiting.Arne set up this whole thing?

Surely he hopes to get something out of it.

I knew he wanted my trust. He wanted my forgiveness.

Is there something more, too?

My body prickled at the thought, and it took me a moment to realize the heated sensation wasn’t just coming from Arne’s proximity, his fancy garb, or his glinting eyes.

No, it came from doubts, rearing their ugly head again, flushing my skin.

This was exactly how he lured me the first time. A quick notion, a silver tongue, and the changing of plans that needed to be carried outright now, or we’d mess everything up.

I clenched my jaw, steeling myself.

I didn’t consider myself stupid, or even particularly naïve. Arnehadchanged, from everything I could see. I didn’t think he was a good enough actor to fool me otherwise.

And yet, frustration and anger already billowed inside me as I stared into his beautiful face. He was right—it was so much like Corym’s, yet with humanness to his eyes and rosiness to his cheeks that the Ljosalfar didn’t possess.

I missed Corym dearly. I worried for his safety with the Lepers, kept as their captive, essentially. I had abandoned him, even after he’d risked his life and deserted his family to stay and protect me.

If Arne is capitalizing on that opportunity—on my desire—then I’ll know his true character once and for all.Grinding my teeth together, knotting my hands into fists at my sides, I said, “Can I trust you, Arne Gornhodr?”

He blinked. Face, unnerved. “You already asked me that, little fox.”

“I’m asking again.”

“Yes. You can trust me.” He saluted with a hand over his heart, over the gold lapel of his red coat.

“Good. You already fooled me once with something just like this. I want you to know I don’t give third chances.”

“Understood.” He bowed his head. There was hurt in his eyes—recognizing I still didn’t trust him completely, no matter how much he tried to sway me.

Actions spoke louder than words. This would mean everything.

My eyes sank, locking with his, narrowing. “Deceive me this time, Arne, and Iwillkill you. Prey on my heart, and I’ll end you . . . even if it’s the last damn thing I do.”

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