Page 168 of Lady of Shadows

How does he know what questions to ask?Scarlett asked Sorin down the twin flame bridge.

I have wondered the same.His eyes were fixed on the two Royals before them.

“Only one knows for sure,” Ashtine replied, “but there are many directions for the winds to blow.”

“Tell me three,” Briar said as Nasima flew back to Ashtine.

“And what shall you give me in return, Prince of Water?” Ashtine replied, the wind portal once more opening behind her.

“What shall be required?”

Scarlett was watching them closely, and her eyes widened at the brief look that entered Briar’s eyes. It was gone so quickly, she had to wonder if it had been there at all. But she had seen Nasima and Abrax in the Forest together, as close as Ashtine and Briar were now…

“A favor of my choosing then,” the Wind Princess replied, her Second coming to her side along with Azrael’s Second.

“Agreed,” Briar said. Three swirling lines appeared around his wrist like a gust of wind. A bargain Mark. “Your end of the bargain. Tell me three.”

“A watery prison, a locked away king, a world walker’s book,” the princess replied as she stepped towards the portal.

“Which direction is wisest?” Scarlett blurted.

“That depends on who is walking the path,” Ashtine answered simply, stepping through the portal, the two males following. It snapped shut behind them.

Silence settled in the room. Scarlett looked at her Court seated around her and said grimly, “I assume we should not speak privately of these matters in these Halls?”

A fire portal appeared a moment later, and all of them rose and filed through.They stepped into the dining room where they’d met with Talwyn a few mornings ago.

“Translation, Drayce?” Sorin sighed from Scarlett’s side. He waved a hand, and flames raced along the length of the table, food and drink in their wake.

“Before we discuss anything else,” Scarlett cut in, “how did you learn to speak to her, Prince of Water? Pillow talk?” Her tone was innocent, but the wink and sly grin she threw at Briar was anything but. She was sure she hadn’t mistaken that brief look of desire she’d seen in his eyes.

A roguish smile crossed his lips. “We do not do much talking in the bedroom, Sunshine.”

Scarlett laughed at his retort. “Fair enough.”

“So perceptive, your Majesty,” he said, returning her wink.

“Bullshit,” Sorin spat, gaping at his friend.

“I am a little disappointed your Court was so oblivious, husband,” Scarlett said, perching on the edge of the table and picking up a pear. “His own Court clearly knows.” She watched as the Fire Court gaped at Briar and his own Inner Court. Sawyer smirked beside his brother, grabbing a pastry from the spread on the table. Eliza was glaring at Nakoa. “To be fair,” Scarlett continued around a bite of pear, “I likely wouldn’t have put it together so quickly had I not seen Abrax and Nasima interact in the Shira Forest.”

“In all fairness,” Cyrus replied, his golden eyes dancing, “you were literallylivingwith your twin flame and had no idea, so maybe you're not as perceptive as you think, Darling.”

Scarlett scowled and stuck out her tongue at him.

“How long?” Sorin demanded, shock still on his features as he continued to stare at Briar.

“Shortly after Eliné left,” Briar answered.

“Why the secret?” Scarlett asked curiously.

“Because relationships outside your Court are highly frowned upon,” Eliza said tightly. “Especially for royal bloodlines.”

“It is a delicate matter,” Briar agreed, his grin becoming a grim frown,“And one to be discussed later as there are more pressing matters at hand.”

“Do you know what she meant with her last words?” Scarlett asked.

He shook his head. “She may not even know what she means. She repeats secrets whispered by the winds. She does not realize she is speaking in perplexity.”

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