Page 112 of Court of Secrets and Flames

“About Sterling? Deny all you want, but it’s obvious you two are in love. To me, anyway. You’re pretty good about hiding it from his brother.”

“We kind of have to be good at hiding…how we feel about each other. But that’s not what I was referring to.” I swipe at an escaped tear and laugh at the same time. He must think I’m crazy. “The things you said…that I have a good heart…that I care. It’s just,” I hesitate while struggling to find the right words, “I’m glad that you were looking out for Sterling…that you had his best interests at heart…even if that meant you were skeptical of me. He seemed so…alone at Flighthaven.”

“I didn’t tell you all that to share how much I care about Sterling. Don’t get me wrong. I do care. He and Blair are the closest people in the world to me, and I would do anything for them, and vice versa.” He gives me a long, hard look. “I said all that to tell you I care aboutyou. Thatyou’reimportant. That I consider you my friend…not just because of what you mean to Sterling, either.”

In all of two seconds, the dam holding back my emotions breaks and a sob escape my throat. “Agnar?—”

“Hey, it’s okay. I didn’t mean to make you cry.” His helpless glance darts from me to the door, as if he’s debating whether to console me or escape while he can.

Before I realize what’s happening, he’s wrapping his arms around me and pulling me to him in a crushing hug.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what got into me.” My head drops on his chest, and I squeeze him back. “I didn’t mean to get all emotional on you.”I can count on one hand how many friends I’ve had in my life, is what I want to say. But it’s probably best not to admit how sad my life is…or was.

He gives me another squeeze and pats my back. “Don’t worry about it. Probably just my charming personality. I tend to have that effect on women.”

I choke out a laugh, pulling back so I can see his face. “Did the ever-serious guard just crack a joke with me?”

He shrugs as his hands slide away from me and fall to his sides, a ghost of a smile tugging at his lips. “Guess I did.”

“It’s official, then. We’ve reached joking status. We’re definitely friends.” After inflating my lungs, I wipe the remaining tears from my cheeks. “I don’t know if anyone’s ever told you this, but you are exceptionally good at giving hugs.”

Agnar tilts his head, and two lines form between his brows. “Tell me something. Who gives better hugs? Me, or Sterling? Don’t worry, if it’s me, I won’t say a word.” He mimes zipping his lips, eyes widening in faux innocence.

I jump up, putting a hand on my hip and shaking my head. “Oh no. I’m not falling for that.”

Ten minutes later, we’re approaching the training fields. After spending the last several hours poring over books, minus my lunch and chat with Agnar, it’s nice to be outside in the fresh air.

Though the sunlight is bright—almost piercing—after the dimness of my chambers, the training fields still aren’t farenough to work up a sweat before we reach them. I squint against its brilliance, taking in the sight of Sterling’s troops. Their muscled forms gleam with sweat as they spar and drill.

When my gaze lands on Sterling, my heart stutters. Black hair tied back and shirt discarded, he walks through the maneuvers another soldier is struggling to follow. Every sinew and muscle coils and releases with the practiced movement. The sun catches on his bare torso, the sculpted muscles and hard planes of his abdominals on full display. He’s not just strong…he’s gorgeous. Absolutely perfect, like a freaking god.

Agnar leans in and studies me with a frown, then uses his thumb to brush the corner of my mouth.

I stumble backward a step, startled by the sudden contact. “What was that about?”

“Pretty sure I spotted a little bit of drool.”

I snap my mouth shut. “I was not drooling.”

“I know.” One side of his mouth tips up in a smirk. “Can’t blame me for checking, though. You stood there and eye-fucked the prince for so long, I was afraid I was going to be Uncle Agnar in nine months if I didn’t intervene.”

Gods.

My face heats, and I’m thankful that’s all he can see of my blush because I’m pretty sure it goes from the roots of my hair to the tips of my toes. At least this serves as a good reminder that I need to take my next dose of birth control tonic soon. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that.”

He breaks into a full-fledged grin and continues walking.

I edge closer to the outskirts of the training grounds, the clamor of steel on steel a constant thrum in the air. Sterling moves among his men with an almost enviable ease, his laughter booming out over the din of combat drills. I’m reminded of the first time I saw them working together, and his natural ease as a leader shines just as brightly now as it did then.

Caught in my head, I stumble over a clump of grass. Thankfully, with the men too focused on Sterling’s instructions, my clumsiness doesn’t draw their attention. “He seems busy. Maybe we shouldn’t interrupt him.”

“Care to meet some of the men instead?” A mischievous grin steals a decade from Agnar’s appearance as he gestures to the soldiers not actively training. They sit in the shade, talking while sharpening blades or stitching armor. “I’m sure they’d love to meet you too.”

My curiosity is instantly piqued. “Okay. Lead on.”

I recognize one face among the troops. Blair Jameson leans against a tree, sharpening a dagger. His short, sandy-brown hair has grown out a little in the last few weeks, and it’s starting to curl at the ends.

As we approach the group in the shade, the whispered comments start.

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