Page 38 of Court of Secrets and Flames

Then I glance at Rhiann and her calm, measuring eyes. “Thank you for your assistance.”

The bed linens, she tells me, including the curtains hanging from the corner posts, are made of a fine wool that appears silky soft. No doubt the material is intentional since wool is fire-resistant.

The metal frames of the windows and glass doors are also nickel. Although, something tells me I can create a fire hot enough to melt that. With just a little more effort. More time.

Wait. Is that why I was given these new rooms? Because they’re less…burnable?

I’m interrupted from watching the servants bustle around the new suite by the tromp of heavy boots.

Prince Knox strides in, his posture stiff, as if he’s been carved from the same cold stone that lines these halls.

But there’s genuine concern in his eyes. “How are you faring?”

If not for his intervention, I would have died last night. The guard outside my door left his post to eat dinner, not waiting for his replacement. Had he at least left the door unlocked, I could have escaped…wouldn’t have panicked in the first place.

I haven’t seen that guard since last night, and I’m afraid to ask what’s become of him. I didn’t know his name, but perhaps that’s for the best.

My memory gets a little fuzzy after Knox carried me from the wrecked chamber. He carried me to an empty room and summoned the healer, refusing to leave my side until Rhiann arrived and chased him out. Even then, he acted reluctant. But the king would undoubtedly be displeased if he caught wind of his brother staying the night in my room.

When Knox clears his throat, I realize I haven’t given him an answer.

“I’m fine…or I will be.” Thanks to potent tonic the healer gave me last night, my throat is no longer raw. “A little drained. But that’s all.”

He lifts his hand as if to touch my cheek but drops it before making contact. “Good.”

With an unreadable expression, he shifts away to engage Rhiann in conversation. Their words are polite and inconsequential, yet she treats him with a warmth I’ve not witnessed from her before.

I suppose they are cousins, after all.

A few minutes later, the door clicks shut behind Rhiann, and I’m left alone with Prince Knox. He hovers near the bed, evaluating me the same way I’ve seen him examine a saddle-shy alicorn.

Soot smudges his cheek, and his clothes are disheveled. Proof he never retired to his room last night to clean up and rest. Does that mean he spent the entire night sitting outside mydoor? My fingers itch to wipe the grime from his face, but I rein in the urge.

No more touching him. Period. That only leads to further confusion.

And what’s to say he won’t betray me again?

“Your face…” The words die on my lips as I straighten my spine. So much for my pep talk. “Thank you for saving me. I could have died.”

An agonized look flits across his features. “I’m just glad you’re all right. If anything had happened to you…”

Pleasure zings through my body before I can control it, but I manage to stomp the sensation into oblivion. “Yes, well, I imagine tracking down another dragoncaller would be a bit of a challenge.”

“Tracking down a…” A muscle tics in his jaw. “If you hadn’t just been through an ordeal, I’d turn you over my knee.”

Clearly there’s something wrong with me. Otherwise, why would that threat heat my blood up? “Aw, are you saying you’d be sad, then? If I died?”

“Sad?” His throat bobs. “That doesn’t even begin to cover what I’d feel if I lost you.”

If I lost you.

Which implies I’m his.

Though his words should irritate me, they don’t. Because I’d feel the same way if I lost him.

Devastated.

Gods, I’m so stupid.

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