Page 39 of Court of Secrets and Flames

“At any rate, I don’t believe my new admirer the king would appreciate it if you turned me over your knee.”

He growls. “Don’t call him that.”

“Why not? It’s true, isn’t it?”

His hands curl into fists. “Why? Do you want it to be true?”

The fact that he’s even asking the question pisses me off. “Well, he can be rather charming at times…”

At his pained expression, a humorless laugh tumbles from my lips unbidden. “You can’t possibly believe I’m interested in your brother. I’ve known him for less than a week. He threw me to the dragons, he murders people who disagree with him, and he’s using my ability as a dragoncaller to improve his popularity. Though please don’t tell him I said that.”

“Surely you don’t think I’d betray your trust that way.”

I shoot him awouldn’t be the first timelook. “Actually…”

He holds his hand up in surrender. “I get it. I deceived you. Kidnapped you. But if I hadn’t, who knows what King Xenon would have done. At least here, I can watch out for you.”

I scoff. “You can’t just apologize, can you? Instead of saying ‘I’m sorry,’ you keep trying to explain away your lies and deceit.”

His shoulders sag. “You’re right. And I am sorry. Truly. I haven’t been in Tirene in a long time, and my brother is different than I remember him.”

“Yet you’re still following his orders. You’re still loyal to him.”

“It’s not that simple. I love my brother, and I believe he wants what’s best for this kingdom. But I don’t always agree with his methods.”

I guess Agnar was right when he told me they had a complicated relationship.

I release a sigh. “But you’re loyal to him.”

“I’m loyal to Tirene.”

“What happens if your brother does something radical? Starts killing more innocent people? Like me, for example?”

Knox snarls. “I’d never let that happen.”

Before I can respond, there’s a sharp knock and the door swings open, revealing Agnar.

Behind him, a figure emerges from the shadowed corridor. When she steps into view, my heart stumbles.

“M-mother?”

Chapter Eleven

At first, I’m so convinced I’m hallucinating that I squeeze my eyes shut and reopen them. Nope, that’s definitely my mother hovering in the doorway, her own brown eyes wide with shock, and her olive complexion a bit paler than normal, no doubt due to her long journey. Exhaustion lines her face, but despite hours of travel, her dark golden blond waves remain pinned up, nary a hair out of place. She had to have freshened up after her arrival.

Her attire surprises me the most. She’s wearing a billowing pale blue tunic and gray trousers. I don’t recall ever seeing my mother in pants before.

Relief swells in my chest at the sight of her. The last time we saw each other was during the Flighthaven trial, where she urged me to run. Since then, I’ve worried that King Xenon took his anger over my disappearance out on her.

Once the initial shock releases her, she sobs, one hand flying up to cover her mouth. “Lark!”

With another strangled cry, she tears free of Agnar’s hold on her elbow and races for me. Emotions clog my throat as she throws her arms around me and crushes me like she’s afraid I’ll disappear. “My baby. I was so worried about you!”

I return her hug, burying my face in her hair and inhaling the familiar rose scent. Tears threaten to spill down my cheeks, and when I scoot back for air, it takes me three attempts to swallow so that I can form words. “You too. How did you get here?”

“Lady Lynnea was delivered from Aclaris by order of King Jasper. The king wished for me to express how thrilled he was to be able to do this for you.” Agnar’s piercing gaze shifts to me and then back to my mother. “On behalf of Tirene, he extends his hospitality and will provide her with a chamber suitable for the mother of his future bride.”

My mother blanches. “What do you mean, future bride? Is that what passes for a joke in this kingdom?”

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