Page 19 of A Kingdom of Fire and Fury
The realization turned my veins to ice. I forced myself to my feet and looked up the stairwell, butthere was no one there.
“The Father!” Nimue swore from behind me.When did she get here?I blinked, and she appeared before me, a panicked look on her face as she took in the bruises and blood on my face and body. She grabbed my face, tilting it left and right. “Are you okay?”
I batted her hand away, trying to will the nausea away. “Someone wants me dead.” I staggered when I took a step forward and hated how Nimue’s hands hovered around me. “You can’t tell anyone.”
Nimue sputtered. “This is definitely something we should tell someone.”
“No.” I gripped her arm, squeezing it tight. “I can’t let them know they rattled me.”
“Selena—”
“Please.” I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth, wincing as red stained my hand. “They can’t know.”
Maybe it was Andova who sent someone to try to kill me, but I doubted it. This was an inside job. Maybe it was Luther. Maybe he got impatient and didn’t want to wait for a dragon to off me. Or maybe it was a noble who hired someone. After all, Umara claiming me ruined their chances of obtaining more power. My temples throbbed. Nowhere was safe. I couldn’t forget that.
Nimue’s expression hardened. “Fine, but you’re coming to my room. And I’m going to clean you up.Fuck.”
She followed through on her promiseand only left me alone for a moment to get a healing kit. “It’d be easier if you let Gareth heal you. He can keep a secret.”
I shook my head. “No. I don’t want anyone to know.” Maybe it was naïve, but Nimue was the only one I trusted. Gareth was nice but even the nicest person could betray you. Not to mention, Gareth’s family had once aided Andova in the civil war. They changed their minds and allied with Lusadia at the last minute, but the damage was done. Since the war, the royals kept the Andros noble line tucked under their thumb. Maybe Gareth would be eager to prove his loyalty by ratting me out.
“You’re a stubborn idiot.” She rolled her eyes but cleaned the blood on my face and arms. “You should at least tell Kieran. We protect each other.”
I scoffed. “Kieran tried to execute me. And I sure as fuck don’t trust the dragonsguard. None of them want me here.”
“I want you here.”
I swallowed, trying to ignore the lump in the back of my throat. “But maybe your family doesn’t. I’m sure the other Houses and Luther don’t want me here either.”
Nimue’s hands tightened. “Maybe Andova sent a spy. But you’re right. I don’t think any of the dragonsguard would do this, but for their families… I wouldn’t put it past them. But Selena, you can trust Kieran. I know he’s been an asshole to you, but he knows what he’s doing. He can protect you. You’ve made a lot of enemies. I’ll watch your back, but… I can’t do it all the time. You need more allies.”
I glanced away. “I’ll think about it.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Thanks,” I said to Nimue as she handed me the bright red rouge I’d asked for last night. When I put it on, I felt like myself once again. I looked in the mirror and admired the color.
“You look stunning, though I’m not sure why you want to wear it for training.”
I smiled at her. “We all have our good luck charms.” And I needed it to give me strength to endure today.
Nimue hadn’t left my side the entire morning. She even kept her horse practically pressed against mine as we rode to the training grounds. “You don’t have to guard me every second of the day,” I muttered.
Nimue arched a brow. “This is a pivotal time for anyone of the other Houses to send assassins after you. I bet you it was Aurelia that did it. Don’t worry. I made sure the guards were properly punished. Someone had knocked them out but… well, they won’t make the mistake of getting defeated again.”
The smile was enough to send a chill down my spine. “Good. Fuckers deserved it.”
She grinned, all teeth. “Damn right they did.” She yanked her horse’s reigns. I yelped when my horsefollowed her lead. Nimue threw back her head and laughed. “Come on, Selena, you’ve done scarier things. Don’t let this get to you.”
I clenched my jaw. “I’m not.”
Ben cheered when I dismounted. “At least you didn’t trip this time.” He laughed when I did a vulgar gesture at him. “You could ride me if you want. I mean, my dragon. You could ride my dragon if you want.”
Nobles.I rolled my eyes. “No thanks.”
“Back off, Ben. She’s riding with me or Kieran.” Nimue folded her arms.
I fell silent as we waited for Luther, Kieran, Gareth, and Aurelia to arrive. I didn’t trust the glint in Luther’s eyes when he slid off his dragon’s back and prowled over to us. “Traditionally, you’d ride with your captain. However, Aurelia brought up a good point. She should be the one to give you your first flight. After all, you two that have the most…difficulties.This flight will smooth over ruffled feathers.”
