Page 113 of Court of Secrets and Flames

“Who is she?”

“That’s the new dragoncaller, right?”

“The only dragoncaller, you mean.”

“I heard she was an Aclaris spy.”

Annoyed at that last comment, I search for the source of the voice, ready to give them a piece of my mind.

“She’s not a spy, asshole.” Agnar glares at a young blond man, who immediately has the decency to appear contrite. “Knox vetted her himself before even bringing her here. Or did you forget he was the Tirene spy in Aclaris who found her?”

The blond solider mumbles an apology.

“Morning, Lady Lark.” Blair sheathes his weapon and heads my way. What brings you down to the fields today?”

“Mostly the need to get out of the palace for some fresh air.” I glance over to where Sterling instructs a middle-aged man with a jagged scar across his forehead. “After spending too manyhours getting drilled by the prince, I thought it would be nice to be one of the spectators for once.”

“Oh.” Blair’s eyes widen, and too late, I realize what I said.

Beside me, Agnar coughs. I don’t dare glance in his direction.

“Okay,” I lower my voice so only Agnar and Blair can hear me, “that was not at all what I meant, and you know it.”

Dammit.Stupid men and their dirty minds.

Blair smirks. “Drilled, huh?”

“Do you really want to go there?” I fix a stern look on my face and will myself not to blush as a very naked, very clear image of Blair engaging in said “drilling” pops in my head. “Because I will if that’s what you want.”

Blair mumbles something unintelligible and shakes his head.

“What are you talking about?” Agnar shifts his gaze between us.

“Nothing.” I roll my lips to keep from smiling as I pat Blair on the arm. “Why don’t you introduce me to some more of the soldiers?”

Later in the afternoon, I stride out of my room, the weight of the full quiver familiar against my back. The bow in my hands feels like an extension of my arm. Though it’s different than the one I learned on, I’ve spent plenty of time familiarizing myself with it during Sterling’s training sessions.

I don’t plan to hunt, but I need air, space, and the promise of solitude.

I slip through the south-side gate with ease, pulling up the hood of my cloak to shield my face. Here, where fewer peopletread and soldiers are but distant shadows guarding other posts, I can breathe. And in breathing, find a semblance of peace.

While I did promise the king I would stay on the palace grounds until Bastian returns with news, I might accidentally wander off a little farther than that.

As I venture deeper into the expanse of nature’s quiet domain, the court and its problems fade to insignificance. By the time I stumble upon the meadow, a verdant oasis teeming with life, the ache behind my eyes has vanished.

Goose bumps race across my skin. I try to ignore the eerie sensation. It’s got to be a residual effect of all the stress from the last week.

But as I scan the field in front of me, something catches my eye.

The pikas, usually calm and oblivious creatures, are on high alert. Their ears twitch and swivel as they search for a threat, their tiny bodies tense with fear. Have they sensed something? Or just me?

I crouch down, attempting to blend into the shadows of the trees as I observe the animals. My hand tightens around my bow, ready for whatever danger may come. Twenty or so heads poke out from the tall grass of the field. A field that suddenly feels like a trap.

As a dragoncaller, I’ve gotten used to the barrage of intense emotions from animals. This is different.

These creatures aren’t just afraid. They’re terrified.

Why?

---