Page 70 of Heat of the Everflame

“Nothing.”

I slowly removed my own clothes and joined her at her side. My gaze lingered on her face as I took the pitcher and poured water over my dry, reddened skin. “You’re not angry with me?”

She looked out over the blue-green pool. “A few weeks ago, I might have been. But since I’ve learned about the violence the guards in Mortal City have caused and how bad the conditions are there...” She frowned. “You had every right to hate me for being in the Royal Guard. More, perhaps, given my position. But you never held it against me.”

“I did at first,” I admitted. “I held it against all of you. But you showed me there are good people within the guard, just asthere are in the Guardians. I’d hoped we could find those people on both sides and bring them together somehow. Maybe I’m too naive, but I still do.”

She walked over and took the cloth from my hand to rinse off the spots on my back I’d missed. “It’s not naive. I’m not sure we stand a chance at winning this war if we don’t.”

I sighed heavily. “You said you came to respect me because of my actions the night of the armory fire. That wasn’t courage, Alixe—that was guilt.”

“Many people have reasons to feel guilty. Few are willing to sacrifice themselves to make it right.” She laid a hand on my shoulder. “It does not change how I feel.”

I closed my eyes, overwhelmed by her forgiveness. “Thank you,” I murmured.

“Taran will understand, too. Give him some time, if—”

She stopped herself, but we both knew the words that came next.

If he has time left to give.

We helped each other finish washing and changed into the fresh clothing we’d found. The wide, billowing pants and cropped tunics were a much-needed change from the heavy fabrics we’d arrived in, and the colorful wool shawls would give a welcome respite when the temperature made its dramatic plummet into the frosty evening.

Alixe sat to lace her boots. “Is that how you and Luther first met—in the Guardians?”

“Not exactly,” I said, laughing. “I was as shocked as you when I found out.” I walked over and sat beside her, resting my elbows on my knees. “Luther has his reasons for helping them. It’s not my place to share them, but I hope you’ll extend him the same grace you’ve shown me.”

“I will. I’ve learned to trust him, even when I don’t understand him.” She glanced in the direction he had stormedoff, her features turning contemplative. “I’m glad he told you. It’s so rare that he opens up to anyone. I’ve never seen—” She paused, frowning up at the sky. “Do you hear that?”

I followed her gaze to the wide blue expanse, where the afternoon sun was blazing in all its glory. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, let alone anything else. “Hear what?”

“It sounds like... pounding. Like a drum.”

And then I heard it.

Thump, thump, thump.

Wings.

I leapt to my feet, a smile springing to my face for a fleeting moment—until I remembered the command I’d given.

A command that couldn’t be broken.

“Alixe... shit, that’s—”

She grabbed my arm. “Did you call Sorae?”

I shook my head. “No. And it can’t be her.”

Her face paled. “Hide.Hurry.”

We scrambled to gather our things and ran for the nearest structure, a small outdoor storage pen that must have been used to store firewood, judging from the decaying logs that cracked under our feet as we jumped inside and pulled the cover closed.

“What about Luther and Taran?” I whispered. “We have to warn them.”

“We can’t risk it. If that’s who I think it is, and he finds you...”

She trailed off as we both peered through the cracks in the lashed bamboo that made up the walls of the enclosure. My pulse raced in time with the steady beat of the approaching wings. The sand whipped into a dusty cloud, forcing us to close our eyes and cover our noses with our scarves.

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