Page 19 of Blooms of Darkness

I snorted in response, and she stood leaning over the railing of the pit and let me finish my series of stretches.

Ian returned after only a few minutes, his face tight.

I arched an eyebrow at him, moving toward the edge of the pit near Kalliah. “Are we good?”

He nodded once. Although he didn’t say more right away, Ian surveyed our surroundings and then walked toward us until we were close enough to whisper. “I had Leif and Corbin looking into Storm and Kade, trying to find anything they could.”

My eyes widened, waiting to hear what had been discovered.

Ian rubbed the back of his neck, then sighed. “They can’t find anything on them. At all.”

“That’s not necessarily strange. There aren’t reliable records in all the towns,” I said, trying to convince myself it wasn’t weird. “It’s not like we have their full names, either.”

Ian pursed his lips. “Magic like theirs should be rumored to exist somewhere, though.”

“We will just have to be vigilant and careful when we do the drop this time,” I calmly stated, examining my nails, as if we hadn’t just fought for our lives the night before.

“If the drops are going to be like last night, you are not going anymore,” Ian commanded, using his “Captain of the Guard” voice.

His tone left no room for argument, but it never stopped me before. “I can handle myself, I proved so at the meeting.”

This time he spoke to me through gritted teeth. “You just want to know more about their magic. It is not safe for you to be there.”

Before I could continue the argument, a sharp whistle sounded behind us. “Lady Kalliah,” our head housekeeper shouted. “The princess is expected at lunch today.”

Kalliah grumbled at the summons. “Guess playtime’s over. Shall we, Your Highness?” She grabbed my arm before I could respond, leaving Ian behind.

He and Corbin had last-minute details for a drop this week, in addition to preparing for the new supplies we had to provide Storm and Kade.

I had duties to attend to as Princess.

Closing my eyes, I left the Hidden Henchman part of me in the training ring and pulled Princess Lana Dresden from deep inside of me.

Just another one of my many necessary masks.

Chapter 5

My body shook uncontrollably.

Despite the commands, I kept my eyes closed tightly. I couldn’t see anymore. I couldn’t watch my failures again today.

“Your father deserves better than you,” the man hissed. “Who could ever bow to a princess who adds nothing of value to her people?”

“No,” I screamed as I heard the swift sound of a dagger unsheathing. “No more.”

“Lana.”

I flung my arm forward, slapping at the hand touching my shoulder.

“Lana, it’s me.” I looked up into Ian’s face.

It was only a dream.

Rubbing my hand over my face, I leaned my head back and took a long, slow breath. “Sorry, I must have fallen asleep. Is it time?”

Ian knelt in front of the chair in my sitting area. I’d been preparing for the drop, so I couldn’t have been asleep too long.

“Are you okay to do this?” Ian asked softly.

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