Page 56 of Court of Secrets and Flames

His questions freak me out. “They started while I was at Flighthaven. Why?” I inhale a deep breath and lift my chin. “If it’s something bad, just tell me. I can handle it.”

“By any chance, did the pain begin after you stopped taking your magic suppressants?”

I gasp and whirl, sloshing water against the sides of the tub. “Yes! How did you know? If you’re hiding something from me—” My eyes narrow suspiciously on his shaking chest. “Are youlaughingat me? Because this isn’t funny. I swear, if you’refinding humor in my imminent death, I’ll use the last of my dying strength to take you with me when I go.”

A snicker escapes his mouth, and so help me gods, I’m about this close to saying screw it and offing his laughing ass now. My expression must screamragebecause he throws his palms in the air to ward off an attack.

“I’m sorry. I just never knew you had such a melodramatic side.” When I growl and grab for his hair, he blocks me with his forearm and shakes his head. “If I’m correct, and I’m almost positive I am, there’s absolutely nothing to worry about.”

“So, what, my back spontaneously bursting into agonizing bouts of pain is normal?”

His eyes gentle. “It can be…if your wings are coming in.”

“Wh—what? That…that isn’t possible.”

Except, it totally is. In fact the answer is so obvious, I can’t believe it never occurred to me. Tirenese people are winged. Therefore, if my biological parents hail from Tirene, then I should have wings too.

“I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”

Knox appears unperturbed. Meanwhile, I’m flipping the hells out. “How long will they take to show up? A day? A week? A year? Will it hurt a bunch more? What color will they be?”

“Since Tirenese get their wings as children, there’s no telling how it will work for you, or whether or not the magic suppressant will impact your wing reveal even after you stop taking it. I know you can handle it though.”

His quiet faith in me eases my worries, and time slips by as we settle into easy conversation. We’re still chatting and chuckling long after the water cools.

Knox dips a finger into the tub. “It’s freezing. Why didn’t you say something?”

I shrug, grateful the gesture no longer causes pain. “Didn’t really notice.”

Not exactly true, but for the first time since my arrival in Tirene, we’ve actually enjoyed each other’s company. No fighting. No pretending. No frenzied sexual encounters.

It’s been…peaceful.

After I dry off and don a clean gown, I turn to him.

“Thank you for helping me.”

“There’s no need to thank me. I’m just glad you’re feeling better.” He leads me back to my bedroom and pulls down the cover.

I snuggle under the blankets, chilled after lying in a cold bath, and already missing Knox even though he’s standing beside the bed. I want to ask him not to leave. To stay with me and hold me until I fall asleep. But that wouldn’t be wise. If the maids caught him in my bed and Jasper got word…

I shudder at the thought. “So am I.”

“Get some rest, Lark.” He presses a soft kiss to my temple and tugs the cover a little higher, until it touches my chin. “Sleep well.”

Then without another word, he exits my chamber, leaving my heart yearning once more for things I know aren’t good for me.

Chapter Eighteen

Golden light spills across the sky as I sprint to the fire paddock and its vast expanse of scorched earth and soot-covered stones. Last night’s chill still clings to the early-morning air, but the day’s warmth is already creeping in. I suck up the scent of charred wood and smoke while I hurry to meet the dragons, who’ve banded together to pummel me nonstop with flying images and emotions since the moment they ripped me from a peaceful sleep.

A fresh wave of eagerness slams into me, buzzing through my veins with dizzying force. On my way out of the castle, I debated on stopping to find coffee, but now I’m glad I skipped it. Any more stimulants and I’d probably be hurling in the bushes.

I burst into the paddock to find the reddish-brown female who joined my flight with the orange dragon. “Okay, I’m here! Where’s the fire?” I remember who—or more accurately, what—I’m talking to and cringe. “Just, never mind that last part. What I meant was, what’s the big hurry?”

Not that I need to correct myself since she can’t understand me. Supposedly.

Though I do sometimes wonder if the dragons have a much better grasp of our than they let on.

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