Page 109 of The Gilded Cage

Unaware of her sudden distress — or perhaps ignoring it — the Matron Healer went on, “It won’t erase the scarring completely, but it will promote regeneration of the cells, helping it to fade over time.” She tilted her chin toward Jaren. “Our prince might like to use some, too.”

And then, revealing she could sense everything churning within Kiva, Maddis gently took her left hand, pulling back the sleeve to expose the Z scar — the same scar Kiva had been certain would doom her if the Matron Healer learned about it.

“Our scars define us,” Maddis said quietly, the tip of her finger tracing the three slashed lines. “They tell a story of courage and survival. They tell of who we are at our deepest being, of the challenges we’ve faced and overcome.” Whispering now, she patted Kiva’s hand and finished, “Not all scars are as visible as this. I daresay you have many more on the inside. But never forget that every scar is beautiful. And you should never,ever,be ashamed of them.”

With the kindest of smiles, Maddis released Kiva and turned back toward the doors, leaving without another word.

Overwhelmed, Kiva just stood there, breathing deeply.

Maddis knew she’d been in Zalindov.

Knew, anddidn’t care.

She hadn’t rescinded her offer and told Kiva she could no longer be a student, hadn’t crushed her dreams.

No — only Kiva was doing that. Kiva and her commitment to her family and their mission and everything that was keeping her from the life she wanted, including Silverthorn. Even now, after the betrayal she’d learned of yesterday, after everything she could no longer deny feeling for Jaren,even nowshe was still faithful to her brother and sister and their plans for vengeance.

Because after ten years, she didn’t know hownotto be.

Even if she wished — so desperatelywished— she could let it all go.

Her heart and mind at war, Kiva glanced up and caught Jaren’s content gaze. Seeing that she was now alone, he held out a hand, beckoning her over.

And so, with a tight smile, she pocketed the jar and strode toward him, beaming genuinely at the children who squealed with renewed delight at having another visitor to play with.

“What do you say we have some fun?” Jaren asked her.

Looking at him, Kiva’s smile grew even as her heart broke, and she answered, “Let’s do it.”

Kiva and Jaren spent almost the entire day at Silverthorn, moving from ward to ward and bringing joy to children and adults alike. It didn’t matter that she had no elemental magic, because Jaren was more than eager to follow any requests she made. With a wave of his hand, he had entire rooms filling with bubbles that refused to pop, fire animals frolicking around water fountains, and tropical forests springing up out of nothing.

Over the course of the day, so many healers spoke with Kiva, sharing how much Jaren’s generosity meant to the children and their families, claiming it was the highlight of their weeks.

The people’s prince,Healer Tura had called him.

She wasn’t wrong.

With each new child’s laugh and each new thrill of Jaren’s magic, Kiva was forced to acknowledge that she was in more trouble than she’d thought.

Because every time Jaren looked at her, smiled at her, touched her, she knew deep down what she would do if they ever had another night like last night, another morning like that morning.

She wouldn’t push him away.

She would hold on to him, for as long as she could, for as long as he’d let her.

Because she was in —

“You’re very quiet,” Jaren said, bringing her thoughts to a screeching halt.

Her dangerous,dangerousthoughts.

“Hmm?” Kiva replied, praying her face didn’t betray her and wishing they hadn’t removed their masks upon leaving the academy grounds.

“I didn’t mean to tire you out,” he continued as they walked slowly along the River Road back toward the palace, the sun setting in the distance. “I just wanted to show you that my life isn’t always filled with council meetings and dreary politics. And I thought —” He ran a hand through his hair and looked at the amulet that was once more around her neck. “I guess I wanted to share something with you that I’ve never shared with anyone else. I thought you might appreciate it. Enjoy it, even.”

Kiva saw every expression shifting across his features, the doubt, the self-consciousness, the uncertainty. All there because of how much he felt for her, and how much her opinion meant to him.

Her voice was rough with emotion when she replied, “I did appreciate it. And I did enjoy it. More than I can say.”

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