Page 147 of The Spark that Ignites
Figuring she may as well squeeze as much out of this as possible, Emmery said, “So, this is going to sound mad but there’s this ... man I’ve been dreaming of. I don’t remember much about him, but he told me I need to find him. I need to find him to fulfil the prophecy.”
“Ah, that fool’s errand.” Destonne blinked, looking suddenly exhausted. “And where shall we look for said man?”
She picked nervously at her fingernails. “That’s why I need your help. I don’t know.”
“What do you know about him?” He pulled at the cuffs of his button-up. “Like his name, where he lives, all the boring, mundane details.”
“Well, his name is Shade ... I think.” She ignored Destonne’s displeased look. “And he has green eyes. And he has magic. He’sKenna. So, I think he lives in Karynthia.”
“Youthink?” Destonne leaned forward, palming his cheek, his face so unfathomably bored. “What does he look like?”
“I don’t exactly know...” Her memories were still hazy, like viewing a reflection through a fogged mirror. The only thing she could assuredly remember were his last words to her and the kiss—
Oh gods, thekiss. Her cheeks heated.
“What do you mean you don’t know?” he asked, exhaling heavily through his nose. “You have to give me more to go off.”
“In my dreams he just ...appears. Like a phantom. A cloud of mist.”
Destonne lifted a brow. “Are you sure he’s even real?”
“He was involved with this.” She thumbed her ring. “And the book Fionn gave me. They have the same inscription. He’s part of this prophecy. My tethered. An oracle told me.”
Destonne muttered something under his breath and blinked slowly at her. “You have animplexusbond with ... a man from your dreams?”
“Those are my terms. Unless I need to add one about idiotic questions.” Emmery clenched her jaw against his shit attitude. “Do we have a deal ...Your Majesty?”
“Disregard what I said earlier,” Destonne practically hummed. “Titles are fine coming from your lips.”
Emmery scowled. “Perhaps a clause about lewd comments would be more fitting.”
The corners of the King’s mouth twitched until he fixated on her ring. “What is this book Fionn gave you?”
“It’s a novel. A ... love story.” Emmery bit into her cheek. Damn, that did sound mad.
“So, we’re searching for a man, based on a romance novel, and he’s part of this prophecy to restore magic and cure this hideous fever?”
Emmery wanted to sink into the floor at the ridiculousness of it all, but she nodded once and held his stare, knowing what she needed from this. Knowing that having Destonne and his wicked ways would be better help than nothing at all and he needed her.
Destonne pinched the bridge of his nose, and said softly, “But I don’t suppose I have a choice.” When he lifted his head, he tilted it at her—a predator savouring its prey. “We have a deal then?”
Emmery’s heart hammered in her chest as she nodded slowly. She remembered his words to Vesper:a deal with a demon. For all she knew, this kind act was merely that—an act.
Destonne slipped a hidden dagger from his sleeve as if he’d been saving it just for this occasion.
Emmery’s brows shot up and she stared at the candlelight flickering off the blade.
The King’s lips twitched. “I always keep one handy.”
“Right. Out of convenience. For all your terrible pactums.”
“I prefer the termbrilliant,” he corrected, drawing the blade across his palm without a single flinch or twitch of his face. Emmery blanched as he handed her the knife.
She was really doing this. She truly hadn’t learned.
Emmery numbly dragged the steel across her skin, except for a tiny sensation wriggling in her gut. Something she assumed she would never feel again after all this.
He reached for her hand and her heart stilled. His skin was surprisingly warm, rough, yet gentle against hers. And something akin to curiosity and wonder flickered across his face the moment their hands met.
