Page 37 of Fear the Flames
“It was them,” Cayden confirms. “Saskia was with us for the first leg of the trip. She traveled back with a group of soldiers after a few days because she had a political meeting she couldn’t miss.”
“But you said they don’t know about the heist.”
“They know I want you because of your link to the dragons; they don’t know we’re going to get the dragons. I would still want you here even if we weren’t planning the heist.”
“Why?” I hate the way my chest constricts at his words.
“Because I wouldn’t want Garrick to get to you before I did.” Lovely, nothing like a reason that makes me feel like a commodity. “I also didn’t tell them because I don’t want you to think that everything you tell me goes straight to them. Why didn’t you tell Finnian?”
It feels nice to know him and I can have conversations that stay between us. It makes me feel like my words are valued, like they hold weight. I take a deep breath while reaching for my tea again. “I want to ease him into it. We’ve been removed from the world for our entire friendship. I can’t just throw everything at him and expect him to be fine.”
He nods, “Was it hard growing up like that?”
I hate that he’s looking at me with a calculating gaze. Ready to decipher any statement I make and file it somewhere in his brain to pull out for future reference. His calculating expression is hardly different from his impassive expression; he probably doesn’t even realize I can decipher it. The only difference is that his right brow is slightly higher than his left, and sometimes his lips pinch in the corner—but he never does either at the same time.
“It was fine until it wasn’t,” I say while getting up from the couch and walking over to the desk that’s piled high with papers. “You’ve started looking at maps?”
“Garrick is rigorous with security. His castle didn’t get nicknamedThe Impenetrable Castlefor nothing. We need to find a way in that won’t be under heavy guard,” he answers.
I bite my lip while looking down at the several maps on the desk. I wasn’t allowed in most parts of the castle, save the dungeon and throne room on occasion. Even when I was allowed in the throne room, I was blindfolded while I walked through the halls. I wonder if the seer that relayed the prophecy saw this, me, aligning myself with Imirath’s enemy. One of the maps catches my eye and I pluck it from the surface. It’s a map of the Eastern side of the castle. It’s the side that leads into the Etril Forest. I know this because it’s the side of the castle that I fled from, but the exit we took is missing from the map.
“Where did you get this?”
“Saskia drew it. She has spies in Imirath,” his voice is close; he’s peering over my shoulder. “I’m going to have to tell her about the heist soon.”
“I know.” It’s good she has spies there; they’ll have more knowledge than I do. I won’t be able to offer much but I can offer this small piece of information. “There’s an exit missing.” I place the map on the desk again and drag my finger along the surface while grabbing a quill from an ink pot. “There,” I circle the spot on the map, “it leads to the dungeon.”
Cayden’s brows scrunch together while he drags a hand through his hair. “What’s it used for?”
“It was used to smuggle goods into the castle during sieges. It hasn’t been used in years. I don’t know if they have guards there now, but there weren’t any while I was there. It’s so dark down there that you can’t even see the door against the stone unless you stay in the dungeon long enough for your eyes to adjust.” Cayden stiffens next to me, and I realize I revealed too much. I forgot I’m talking to someone that hangs onto every syllable that comes out of my mouth.
“I’ll have Saskia investigate it in a few days. She’s going to get suspicious when we hand her the dragon text.” I’m thankful he doesn’t pry into my previous statement. “Now, onto the next matter of business before the report comes.” I raise my brows at him, urging him to continue. “We hatched this plan; we should be the ones to see it through,” he finishes.
“I agree,” I respond without a moment’s hesitation. I’ve already thought this through since the night Cayden and I met in the forest. I would never ask Finnian to accompany me into Imirath, I don’t want him there, and I’m not dumb enough to think I can go alone. Imirath is a place I never thought I would see again, let alone alongside someone I don’t trust, but that’s the reality of the situation. “Just you and I,” I state. No extra soldiers, no friends, just us. If he betrays me, at least I’ll be close enough to my dragons to burn him. No matter how much kindness he shows me, I must remember who he is. I benefit him right now, but if a better offer comes along, he’ll stab me in the back without warning.
“Just you and I,” he echoes. A knock rattles the door against its hinges, and both of us straighten behind the desk. “Enter,” Cayden calls out.
The door practically flies open and bangs into the wall. Finnian surges forward, eyes on me, “Thank the gods.” It’s the only thing I hear before he latches his arms around me and lifts me off my feet in an embrace I feel throughout my entire body. He shoves his head into the crook of my neck, and a sob vibrates against my skin. The noise makes me feel like someone stabbed me through the heart. “Ryder told me you were fine, but I needed to see you.”
“I’m fine, I promise,” I murmur while running my fingers through his curls. His tears soak the collar of my shirt. “I would’ve found you, but I thought you were asleep.”
“I heard the guards moving around, and then I saw Ryder in the hall. He told me someone tried to kill you,” Finnian says while setting me on my feet and moving his hands to my shoulders as if he still needs to reassure himself that I’m here. “What the fuck happened to your neck?” His tears turn into flames dripping from his eyes.
“I’ll explain later.” I reach up to wipe his cheeks. “We’ll go over the report, and then we’ll talk.” He lets out a shaky breath before nodding his head. He spins me on my heels and wraps his arms around my shoulders while placing his chin on top of my head. I stay here, locked in his arms, while Ryder gets ready to give the report. Finnian is big on needing physical reassurance, so his need to hold me is something I expect.
“I’m just going to say the worst part first,” Ryder begins, a grimace contorting his face. “Garrick placed a bounty on your head, and it’s high enough to make even the holiest person in Ravaryn contemplate murder.” Finnian stiffens behind me, and Cayden tosses back the remainder of his whiskey. The tension in the room rises with the stakes of the game we’re playing. It’s something all of us expected, but not this quickly.
“How paternal he thinks I’m worth so much,” I bitterly snicker.
“I’d place a bounty on his head if it was worth it,” Cayden states while strapping a sword around his waist. His eyes are back to blazing with the flames of his barely restrained rage.
“Why isn’t it worth it?” Finnian asks, but I have a feeling I already know the answer.
“An assassin would be quick. Garrick deserves a slow, painful death,” he says it with the same level of informality someone uses when ordering a pint.
“Not quick like drowning,” I joke, but I’m met with two glares and Finnian’s arms tighten around me. “Okay, too soon. Noted.”
“The assassin tonight was dressed like a servant, which is why the guards in front of Elowen’s room didn’t suspect anything. I think he slipped in during the banquet and just bided his time before making his move. The perimeter is secured, but we’re going to have to go into town to figure out more answers,” Ryder finishes off.
