Page 10 of Wings of Cruelty and Flame

It was like something out of a dream, beautiful and enormous and sweet with fragrant flowers. If the city was a red star, Varidian’s home was like a silver moon, but with all the warmth of the sun.

“It’s beautiful,” I breathed. The sound of trickling water met my ears when Makrukh landed with practised ease on a lawn at the back of the house. It was like a paradise, so quiet and calming compared to the madness of the souk we’d just left.

“I’m glad you like your new home,” Varidian said, squeezing me closer to him for a moment before he released me entirely. I fought a shudder as cool air rushed into my back when he put distance between us.

“Oh shit,” I whispered, freezing in place when Varidian left me atop the wyvern and slid effortlessly down Makrukh’s side, landing on two feet with all the grace and power of a warrior. He looked up at me expectantly. My stomach executes an elaborate somersault.

Panic made my breathing race, nausea returning. In a fit of fear, I said to the wyvern, “I have an especially beautiful piece of amethyst among my things. In the right light, it shines like purple starlight.”

He turned his pearlescent white head just slightly, interested.

“It’s yours if you help me get down to the ground without looking like a fool.”

His head tilted in clear confusion. My stomach thrashed with dread. But then Makrukh shoved Varidian aside with a giant foot, ignoring his rider’s barked complaint, and extended his leg. Right. Just slide down his leg. Easy. I wouldn’t die.

Probably.

“What are you doing, Mak?” Varidian called up.

I imagined the short, grumpy sound his wyvern retorted told him to shush.

I was out of time. It was getting weird. I was taking too long.

Please, don’t let me die.

I swung my leg over Makrukh’s back, avoiding the tall spikes, and pushed myself off before I lost my nerve. I locked my jaw against a scream and tried very, very hard not to look at the ground as I slid down Makrukh’s side so fast I couldn’t control my path. By chance, my body slipped along the leg he’d extended for me and I shot past rough scales and opalescent skin, nearing the ground at an alarming pace. It was like falling from a tree, except the tree had horns and scales and was twenty-five feet tall.

I was going to scream. I was going to break my ankle. I was going to—Varidian smiled as he caught me, saving me theembarrassment of melting into a heap on the ground. My brain rattled inside my skull. Oh, I was alive. I loved being alive and not a shattered mess on the ground.

Big, big fan of not being a shattered mess.

My legs were like jelly, my knees weak, but Varidian held me up. My head spun. But there was no suspicion in my husband’s eyes; I got away with it.

Oh, thank fuck.I nearly cried in relief. I didn’t want his intrigue to change to disappointment. I wanted my husband to think I was a capable, fierce wyvern-riding fae woman. Just once, I wanted someone to like me.

“I’ve never known you to be so chivalrous, Mak,” Varidian remarked, giving his wyvern a strange look.

“That’s unfair,” I cut in, a little breathless as I steadied on my jelly legs, stepping out of his hold. “Makrukh’s been nothing but chivalrous since we met.”

Makrukh’s massive face split in a toothy grin. Varidian was aware we were ganging up on him, but he only laughed, shaking his head. “Let’s get inside,” he said, squeezing my elbow, that smile still on his face as he guided us towards the villa. “Mak, don’t go harassing Zulaykha while my back’s turned.”

The wide-eyed look on Makrukh’s face was pure innocence. A smile curled my lips.

“Will there be many people inside?” I asked when Varidian led me across the flat expanse of grass to the back entrance to his home.Ourhome. It would take some getting used to. An arch tiled with white and gold mosaics framed the door Varidian swept open for me, and I entered with the same enthusiasm I’d walk into a viper’s pit.

“It’s not a busy household,” Varidian assured me, closing the door behind us. The chill of riding for hours was instantly soothed by a crackling fire across the large entryway, the floors every bit as beautiful as the arch outside, the silver and goldtheme echoed everywhere I looked. “Just me, my family, and the few staff needed to manage a riad this large. I love the people of Ithanys, but after—well, you can understand why I’d like a quiet place to retreat to.”

“After you were exposed as harbouring a deadly magic,” I filled in, keeping my eyes on Varidian as he led me through the warm room into a long hallway.

“I’m the last person to judge you,” I said when he shot me a guarded look. “And I understand why you wouldn’t broadcast the truth of your power to every last person in the kingdom. But I know—very little about control magic.”

Very subtle, Ameirah. Top points for tact.

“You want to know if I can use it to manipulate you,” he guessed, his voice absent the warmth it had contained only moments ago. We walked so fast now, I could barely look at the home we sped through, but I got a sense of quiet, peaceful halls full of plants and art and the scent of saffron.

“It would be nice to know, either way,” I admitted. I didn’t tell him my father had likely married me to him in the hopes hecouldcontrol me. I doubt my father would be too concerned if Varidian killed me, but I kept my eyes on my new husband, searching for sincerity or deceit as he answered.

“I only use my power on our enemies.”

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