Page 74 of A Kingdom of Fire and Fury
Something flickered in his eyes, but after a beat, Kieran clanked his glass against mine. “To not dying,” he murmured. His eyes never left mine as we both took a small sip.
Despite myself, my lips quirked. I wondered if he felt the lightning crackling between us like I did. He must have. Was it my imagination or did his gaze linger on my lips? I ran my hand along my mug. I could go bother Nimue and Brynn or even Ben. I didn’t have to entertain this and yet… “It was awesome seeing you order those nobles around.”
Amusement danced in his eyes. “That’ll be you soon if you play your cards right.”
“Finally. An actual bonus,” I said dryly.
His lips twitched. “Not right away, of course, but considering how smoothly today went… it won’t be long. You did good.”
Warmth blossomed in my chest. “You weren’t so bad yourself.”
He arched a brow. “Should I get Gareth? You might have a concussion.”
“Shut up.” I smacked his shoulder. “I meant it, you know. Even if everything you do is planned, you didn’t have to help the people you chose. The highborn assholes didn’t want you to pick them. If you weren’t there, they would’ve been left behind to die.”
“Only if Aurelia was left in charge.”
I hummed. “Maybe so.” But the point was,Kieranhelped them. There was no benefit to helping those people. Yes, he kept saying he wanted to help thecommon people, and he had, but it was different actively seeing it.Maybe he isn’t total bullshit.Even if we weren’t friends, I could get behind him if he continued like this.
Kieran tilted his head to the side. I wondered what he saw. “What’s your point?”
My breath caught in my throat. By the Mother, he had no right to look so hot there. Especially since he truly didn’t see how helping those people changed my opinion. I wanted to lean forward and kiss the tattoo that claimed his neck.
Get it together, Selena.I flushed. I couldn’t help it. Not when he commanded everyone so effortlessly. It was insanely hot seeing everyone bow down to him. But what really tipped it off was seeing him put the highborn in their place.
“My point is, you’re not that bad, Kieran.”
“The highest of compliments, truly.” But despite his dismissive tone, I caught a glimmer in his eyes. It looked almost… happy. It vanished and was replaced with an almost bored look. “We like to pretend the nobles have all the power, and in a lot of ways, they do. But… deep down we know the commoners outnumber us. Saving everyone helps my goals.”
I knew what he was trying to do. Trying to act like that move was entirely strategic. Maybe, in part, it was. But not completely. It was more than that. Kieran was more than that. Daeza was proof. “They’ll remember what you did for them.” I grinned. “Next time, I’m going to see how many nobles I can piss off in the next rescue mission.” I raised my glass. “To befriending commoners and being a manipulative asshole.”
My eyes widened when Kieran actually raised his still full glass and clinked it against mine.
“And never anything less,” he murmured.
I laughed and took a sip. Gods, this was getting out of hand. Tomorrow, no doubt, he’d go back to keeping his distance and I’d try to ignore the sting.Why am I subjecting myself to this? Why can’t I stay away?I wanted to say it was all for Clara, but it wasn’t.
“Remember to stay focused. You can’t be hostile right away. You need them to trust you.” His lips quirked into a smile. “Gain a reputation and then boss them around. I’ll back you up.”
I smiled and took another sip, letting the warmth flood my veins. “You’re different from how I thought you’d be. Even with everyone else, I see how they act around the servants. They’re polite—even Aurelia, but…”
“But they hardly see them.” He shot me a knowing look.
“But you do.”
Surprisingly, Kieran answered my unspoken question. “You already know I’m a bastard.”
I winced. “If I’d known—”
“It’s fine.” He waved me off. “You know how bastards are treated. It was much the same for me. I never felt truly a part of the Caddel family. Everything you see now—it’s a mask I’ve spent over a decade crafting. Only once I became a dragonsguard could I claim mylast name.”
I hated seeing that deprecating smirk. “If I ever see your father, I’ll kick him in the balls.” I never saw the point in punishing a child because their father couldn’t keep it in their pants.
A ghost of smile graced his lips. “He’d deserve it. That coward. The others don’t get it. They care, but they don’t understand.”
But I do. We both do.A dangerous feeling lingered in my heart. I couldn’t afford to lose sight of my mission, but despite my reservations, the ice around my heart began to thaw. I wanted to learn more about him, wanted to ask about his past.Stay focused.“Yeah.” I twirled the glass in my hand. “So, hypothetically, how long do I have to wait before I can order nobles around?”
Kieran threw his head back and laughed. The sight of it startled me. He looked… free and relaxed.Beautiful.I wanted to freeze that expression, to leave a trail of kisses along his nape. To run my fingers along his exposed collarbones.Dammit.
