Page 117 of A Sun Scorched Bloom

Thomas placed his hand on top of Emma’s, stalling her fidgeting. "There’s nothing to be nervous about. I promise. You’re always safe when you’re with me."

"I’m not afraid, I’m… I can’t explain it. My body feels itchy sometimes. Tight, like my skin is stretching across my bones so taut they might pop through."

"How can I help?" Thomas’s eyebrows lowered, and he started to pull his hand away.

"Wait!" Emma interjected, pulling his hand back. "Pressure helps." She took a few slow breaths.

Hesitantly, Thomas reached forward to grab her other hand, pulling them together and squeezing tight.

It grounded Emma almost instantly, and while she was still incredibly uncomfortable with Thomas’s undivided attention, she forced herself to stop fidgeting. His touch felt good, and she thought that maybe if he pulled her into his arms and squeezed her tight, the whole world might go silent for the first time in her life.

Emma had thought that maybe there’d been something between them back at the castle, but at the same time, she’d known how much he loved Lea. She didn’t blame him. She loved Lea, too. Not in any romantic sense, of course, but she could understand his feelings. Her friend was strong and brave, and outspoken in a way Emma almost envied.

"Look, I know that my timing isn’t great. There’s a war coming that I might not even survive, but I’ve made the mistake of not expressing my feelings before, and I don’t want to do that again. I don’t want to die with regrets."

"You’re not going to die, Thomas." Emma shook her head, refusing to look in his eyes.

"I had a dream the other night, before you all came back. It made me think—" he stopped, swallowing his words. "I’m hoping for as few rebel casualties as possible. But it doesn’t change the fact that I’m willing to sacrifice my life for the people I love. I won’t go beyond the veil with anything left unsaid, Emma."

"What do you need to say?" she asked, her tongue heavy in her mouth.

"That you’re beautiful." Thomas let go of one of her hands and cupped her cheek, caressing her skin with his thumb, but he didn’t force her to meet his eyes. "You’re the kindest person I’ve ever met. You’re strong and soft, somehow at the same time, and the way you are handling your power… I’m just—I’m completely amazed by you."

Emma felt like she was glowing, was certain she had to be dreaming. In fact, she’d had several dreams very similar to this.

"I like you, Emma. So once this war is over, I’d like to see where this can go. That is, if you feel at all the same way." Emma finally looked up, and a boyish grin spread across his face the moment they made eye contact.

Her throat was so dry she could hardly swallow.Is this actually happening?"I think I would like that very much," she whispered.

Thomas scooted closer, their knees now touching and his eyes dropping to her lips.

"I think I would like to kiss you." He leaned closer, slowly, giving her time to stop him. Emma stared at Thomas’s strong jaw and plump lips as he moved closer. If she’d been able to speak, she would have told him that she’d never wanted anything more. But her words were too thick to move up her throat. And so she leaned forward, closing her eyes and the last few inches between them.

A sigh escaped her mouth as she reveled in the pressure of his lips, soft and tender in a way that made her want to cry. The kiss was full of hope, ofpossibility. Yes, war was coming, but if she could help, if they could win, there could be so muchgoodwaiting for them on the other side.

Thomas pulled away, his breaths short and ragged, his eyes mirroring the possibilities that had laced his kisses.

Emma gathered up her courage. "I think it’s time I talk to Gray." She cleared her throat. Committing to opening herself up for the dead to tether to, it terrified her. It would be painful, and emotional and all around justhard, but as Thomas nodded and grabbed her hand, lacing his fingers between hers, she knew without a doubt that it would be worth it.

Chapter 76

Lea

Afterafewrestlesshours of sleep, Lea forced herself to climb out of bed. Gray had joined her at some point, but she didn’t think that he’d ever closed his eyes. Instead, he just held her, so tight it was as if he was counting down the days he had left to sleep wrapped around her.

As Lea pulled the blanket away, preparing to leave the warm cocoon of her bed, acrinkleof paper caused her to pause. Next to her pillow, where Gray had laid, was a folded note.

Little flower,

I hope you rested. I wish you would go back to sleep, but if I know you at all, I will see you only minutes after you finish reading this letter. I’ve sent word to Woodhurst for your father to return, and am meeting with Vincent to discuss how to best utilize him, should he make it here in time. I’ll be in the training rooms. Find me when you’re ready.

A bubble of excitement worked its way up Lea’s throat until she was holding back a smile. She had missed training the past few days, had actually missed her morning runs with Erik and Janelle. Once again, working with the moonflowers last night had made her feel helpless, almost hopeless. But she wouldn’t be hopeless for long.

Lea considered all the different ways she would like to kill Alaric as she dressed for training, donning tight black leggings and a matching black shirt that hugged close to her skin. She’d learned in those first few days of training that loose clothing only made her more vulnerable, so she’d taken to wearing tighter garments so her opponents had nothing to grab onto as she fought.

After she finished braiding her hair, Lea walked to the training room, stretching her arms as she went. Every mat was taken by fellow rebels sparring with varying degrees of success. A small group of women performed archery in the back, and Lea recognized the butcher's wife among them, while the butcher himself practiced small bits of fire magic nearby. The blacksmith appeared to be lifting rocks with just his mind, stacking them neatly in a pile as tall as he could until they toppled over.

Everywhere she looked, both strangers and neighbors she'd known her whole life were practicing magic.It was astounding, but also filled Lea with a sense of joy seeing others wield their magic so casually. It should have always been like this.

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