Page 73 of Fate and Flame
“She totally likes me,” he answered.
We stayed at the lists for quite a while. We watched a giant practice with a royal guard, and we watched the guard work with several inexperienced northerners. At least here they were getting training.
“The prince went down to the compound and recruited these guys,” a voice said from behind us. “You Rhogan?”
“Who wants to know?” he answered, instantly lethal as we turned to see a whelpa standing with his bony hands crossed over his hairy chest.
“Murtad sent me for you. The wings were a dead giveaway. We got a message you were coming.”
“Great, let’s go,” I said.
“You the healer?” he asked, squinting.
I nodded.
He jutted his chin toward Nadra. “Fine, but she can’t come.”
“She goes or none of us do.” Rhogan stepped so close to the messenger his chest pushed into him.
“It’s rebels only,” he answered, completely unfazed.
“She’s one of us.” I moved to stand next to Rhogan, my blood instantly boiling. “I find it ridiculous that the first sign of prejudice we see here comes from the rebellion, even worse that you single out my mate.”
The messenger finally took a step back as the predator in me came forward.“Sorry, I didn’t know. We don’t have a lot of high fae rebels come in from the north.”
“Let me punch him,” Rhogan said, his fists clenched.
“Calm down. We can’t have traitors in the rebellion and he’s just doing his job. Let’s go.” Nadra took charge and probably saved the messenger’s life as she grabbed me by the cuff and yanked me onward.
He walked back down the hill and we followed right behind him.
Chapter Nineteen
Ara
“Besides being a well-rounded bitch and trying to take over this court, tell me anything else we actually know about Morwena’s actions. My father said this was important. He said there would be a genocide. The Hunt matters, Fen.”
“Ara, I get it. I know it’s a giant red flag, but it’s just not safe.” He sat across oversized table from me, his hands cupped as if it were a professional meeting.
I’d had to chase him down into the castle library to get him to finally sit down and talk to me. He’d been avoiding this conversation for days. Though Coro’s library was grander, this room always stilled me. Stacks of books so high you needed ladders to reach the top, rows of shelves filled with leather tomes, carrying so much history. So many stories of bravery and beasts written along pages so fragile they may see their final day soon and take those precious memories with them.
My eyes snapped back to Fen. “I don’t think we have a choice. We have to find out how tight Coro’s reins are on the Hunt. I’m telling you it matters. It mattered when my parents were killed. It matters now.”
He stood, rounding the table so he could pull me to him. Cupping my cheeks, he kissed me soundly. “If it means this much to you, and this is what you think is right, then go ahead. But I want to come with you. It’s my job.”
I moved away, so I wouldn’t fall for the distraction of his adoring gaze. “I wasn’t asking for your permission. I’m trying to be a team player here, instead of rushing into danger. I know you’re the Guardian, Fen. But you’ve also got an entire kingdom to run, and it’s just a conversation. I can navigate a conversation without having a bodyguard.”
He raised a knowing eyebrow at me.
“Don’t give me that look.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he smirked.
“Fine, I’ll take Gaea and Greeve and we’ll be back after dinner. I just want to know.”
“If I go, as a king, he’s more likely to talk to me.”
“That can be the backup plan, good thinking.”
