Page 55 of A City of Flames

“Did we come at a bad time?” Illias questions, glancing at the central, his gaze widening over the marigold tree and the castle walls up ahead.

Certain roofs burned down during the shifter attack. I assume he means that, along with the broken wood plank debris lying around.

Word never gets out much from the city toward smaller villages. Near the south where we are from, the only gossip ever received is from Ivarron or Miss Kiligra hearing things from the nosey neighboring towns.

“No, you came at the perfect time,” I say, not needing to worry them with any shifter information and smile the most I have since I first came here, before looking behind me. “Link, Rydan!” I gesture my hand as they approach us. “These are my brothers, Illias, Iker, and Idris.”

They all incline their heads at one another as Link stays staring at Illias in admiration. Color creeps up onto Illias’s cheeks as his gaze wanders off to the sides. And as Link doesn’t drop his gaze once, I cock my head to the side, holding back another smile until Rydan steps in, opening his arms far and wide. “Ah, my future brothers-in-law, lovely to make your acquaintances.”

Just like that, I’m back to scolding.

“In-laws?” Idris asks unamused, glancing at me and then at Rydan nodding.

“Yes,” he says, coming up beside Idris, and draping an arm around his shoulder. “I plan on marrying your sister. Although she keeps saying no to me, but the way I see it is that she’s playing a treacherous game of love while trying to get me jealous using Lorcy—I mean Lorcan.”

I exhale roughly, wishing I’d not introduced Rydan to my brothers. It should have been evident from the start he’d say something like this.

“Who is Lorcan?” Illias asks, frowning before it smooths out into a look that tells me he realizes something. A look that means Idris won’t like this at all.

Rydan heaves a loud sigh, shaking his head. “My common enemy in this love affair—”

“Lorcan!” I blurt out on accident and far too eager as he appears from behind them. The timing is not perfect, I must admit, not when everyone’s heads whirl to him and Idris stands tall and strong—his usual stance of vigilance when it comes to me.

Lorcan’s gaze shifts to me, and flashes of his lips on mine slide into my mind, forcing me to bury the tightness inside my chest.

“Idris.” Somehow the air has been pushed out of my lungs, and my voice is tremendously high. “This—”

“We’ve met,” Idris cuts in, staring Lorcan down. Dear Solaris and Crello, save me. “You were the one who told Nara to join the venators.”

Lorcan sends him a curt nod. “I saw potential.” He looks my way. “Couldn’t let someone like her get away.”

I don’t think he’s talking about my role as a venator, not with that starkness in his gaze.

You let me get away the other night are words I’d say if we were alone right now.

“Do you plan on staying for the Noctura festivities next week?” I clear my throat and change subjects as I glance at Idris. His frown deepens beneath the sun, still looking at Lorcan.

Illias looks to answer, but Idris quickly interjects, “Occupying an inn for that long will cost us far too much in the city. We’ll leave before the week is over.”

Right, I can’t even help cover any of the costs.

Nodding, though anyone can see the disappointment in my eyes, I plaster on a smile. It’s the first time I’ll be celebrating without them.

“I can help.”

I stop blinking, and in silence, we all cut a gaze to Lorcan.

He waves a hand, and I try not to look Idris’s way. “You can put it all on my tab. It’d be an honor to have the Ambrose’s here for the festival.”

“Lorcy, this is the most I’ve seen you talk—”

“If it makes Nara happy.” Lorcan cuts Rydan off, keeping a sharp stare as he raises a brow at him. “Then I’d be glad to help in any way.”

My heart knocks against my ribcage. If it makes me happy. “I can’t accept your offer to pay for my brothers, Lorcan, it’s—”

“I’ll make sure to repay you for your kindness,” Idris says, and I whip my head at him in puzzlement, as do Iker and Illias. Knowing how prideful Idris can be, I’m surprised he’s not declining Lorcan’s offer.

Lorcan nods deeply and appreciatively as he says, “That won’t be—”

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