Page 47 of A City of Flames

“And I hope they make room for you too.” He smirks over his shoulder before waving the crystal in the air. “Always glad to have an accomplice at my side.” And once more, just like our first encounter, he leaves, this time with Tibith. However, he’s not used his powers to leave me tied up, and I’m not running out to catch him.

* * *

“Someone seems angry,” Rydan says as I look up from the dining table. He drops onto the bench alongside Link. Freya then grabs the piece of ripped parchment from my hands where I’d vigorously written the same name until there was no capacity left to add more.

“You’ve put the Golden Thief down on your enemy list?” She questions with a frown. “Solaris, I know many despise him, but I didn’t think you would.”

I scoff incredulously and nod. Dealing with the Golden Thief twice already has proven I do, very much so.

I hope you rot in the cells one day.

And I hope they make room for you too. Always glad to have an accomplice at my side.

Screwing my lips at the memory, I grab a chunk of chicken and bite into it. He already has an accomplice, which makes more sense as to why no one’s able to trap him.

“I don’t understand why so many despise him.” Rydan flails his drumstick around. “He’s practically a king.”

“A king of thieving,” Link counters, spooning some pottage into his mouth.

Please, not even the role of a jester would suit him.

“And a king I’d happily allow to choke me,” Rydan says dreamily through a full mouth of food, causing the three of us to stop what we’re doing and stare—stare like we were hoping we’d not heard right.

“You are simply the strangest person I’ve met, Rydan.” Freya shakes her head, muttering, “I can’t believe we are the same age.”

“I have no regrets in what I say, Frey-Frey.”

“Rydan.” Lorcan appears from behind, and it’d be a lie if I said I hadn’t felt my heart lurch, seeing him just then.

Rydan doesn’t take even a second to stand, dropping his drumstick as he turns with a grin. “Lorcy,” he says. “Care to join us? We were just discussing how I want to be—”

“Why weren’t you at training this morning?”

Thank Solaris Lorcan cut Rydan off before the topic of being choked by the Golden Thief made its way into the conversation.

“I didn’t need to train.” Rydan shrugs. “I’m already well skilled.”

“Are you now?” Lorcan questions him flatly.

“We can spar right here to prove—”

Lorcan lifts a palm, silencing him. “That won’t be necessary.” He then looks towards me. “Nara.”

I blink, stiffening. He’d not sought me out in almost two weeks, not since we’d spoken by the hallways. We’d only stared each minute I trained, every moment I threw those blades at the practice dummies, and when the queen visited once again.

“Can we go for a walk?” He asks, one hand on his pommel like always. “I would like to talk to you about something.”

I nod and feel Freya’s hand squeeze my arm. Her nerves are prominent enough I don’t need to look at her.

Rising from the bench, I take pursuit, walking out of the mess hall as I fall into slow steps beside him. He’s quiet even once we reach the gardens, and the night greets us warmly.

“What is it you wish to speak of?” I ask, letting my hands roam the leaves from the bushes at my side.

“I feel that I owe you an apology.” He stops opposite the ponds, and I frown in a silent inquiry. He adds, “For everything. I know how much becoming a venator means to you, and I’ve only pushed my luck by letting certain emotions get through.”

My hand stops fidgeting, and I pick off a leaf, letting it fall freely. Of all things, I did not expect an apology even though I should have.

“You should know it is never my intention to make you uncomfortable.”

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