Page 19 of Bonded to the Fallen Shadow King

Thalen blinked innocently at me. “She’s still here. Besides, I want to know what chaotic plan the copper thornbush has next…because Silus and I want to help.”

“Nope.” Silus accepted the goblet and took a drink. “I don't want to help, but I will watch.”

I pointed my finger at the door. They at least had the good sense to immediately rise. Thalen picked up one of the only trays of powdered confections that had survived the fight and winked. I restrained a growl.

After the door shut again, I turned my full attention to Briar, waiting for her to end the silence or show some sign of discomfort or remorse.

Her fingers curled into her palms, and she shifted her weight a little.

Good. She had some sense.

“Explain yourself. What did you hope to gain from all this?” I braced my hands against my belt, resisting the urge to reach out and wipe the cream from her cheek. “Why would you insult my hospitality and this competition by wasting our food and drink?”

“Because those bitches deserved it. They were acting like their shit don’t stink.” She folded her arms, saying this as if it were the most natural observation in the world. Not even an ounce of contrition underscored her words.

My scowl deepened. I canted my head, uncertain whether I was more shocked at the explanation or the topic. What did it even have to do with anything? “Their…shit doesn’t stink? This was the discussion at dinner? Did you choose this topic?”

Her eyebrow quirked. “What? You saying yours doesn’t either?” A hint of a smile pulled at those full lips. Was she mocking me or teasing me?

I glared harder, even as my mind spun. What was wrong with this woman? “This is not an appropriate topic of conversation.”

Her lips pursed, and color flushed her face, highlighting her cheekbones beneath the smears of confections. I could smell sugar and syrup on her skin, mingling with ginger and cinnamon. She swallowed hard. “I’m guessing you don’t have that saying?”

My head jerked back. How was I supposed to respond to that?

She laughed. "It's what we say on Earth when someone thinks they’re too good for everyone else." She hesitated. "You really don't have that saying, do you?”

I shook my head. “Why would we have a saying like that? There’s no need for such a discussion.”

“I mean, it’s…it’s a thing we say. Like…you know when someone says people don't sweat, they glow?"

My brows knit together. She was even more ridiculous than I'd thought. "No. You don’t sweat?"

She laughed, her hand coming up to cover her mouth.

Feck. My stomach twisted, and heat surged through my veins.

I resisted the urge to take her hand and pull her toward me, and fought the desire to curl my hand around her cheek. Damn it. She really was adorable, even covered in food and wearing ridiculous blue creatures. What spell had she cast on me? Some part of me longed to join in the laughter. To admit that, yes, this was fecking hilarious. Even without knowing precisely what Kaylen and the others had said or done, I had no doubt they’d deserved this.

And she’d deescalated what could have turned into a brutal and deadly fight by…hurling insults and pastries.

How was she drawing me in like this? It had to be magic, didn't it? “It was disrespectful,” I said again, solemnity steeling my tone. “This is a serious matter. These tests are not a joke. You could die.”

That eyebrow went higher, and she set her jaw. "I thought you weren't going to intervene. You said you don’t care whether any of us live or die." Her voice held an edge, and she folded her arms over her chest. "Why do you care if I act improperly? You don’t want any ofus." She hesitated, then shrugged her shoulders. Sadness flashed through those beautiful eyes, but she steeled herself as if drawing upon some inner strength. "I’m going to die anyway. At least I can have a little fun before facing death again."

Her words struck me like a blow to my gut, and I wanted to know who had dared to harm her.

There was one thing Ihadto do.

ChapterSeven

Briar

My head spun, and I wanted to clamp my hands over my mouth. As soon as I’d admitted I was going to die, Vad's expression had twisted in disgust. His irises were the color of a storm rolling in. He probably was upset that I’d pretty much spat in his face when he was trying to help me survive.

His chest heaved, and without another word he spun on his heels and marched out the doors, leaving me alone.

Unshed tears burned in my eyes and blurred my vision, and my heart squeezed tight within my chest. Fate, I missed Ember. She’d know what to do, and here I stood, fucking clueless. I dug my fingers into my sticky hair, yanking on the ends. Even the pain didn’t ground me. I could still feel the weight of his silence on my shoulders, like a burden I couldn’t shrug off.

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