Page 99 of A City of Flames

I look over my shoulder at the bundle of gold coins, crystals, and books splayed along the floor. To the right is a teal kirtle with laces at the front, draping over a cabinet. “Do I want to know where you got that from or stole?” I ask dryly, shifting my gaze to see his golden eyes burning in irrepressible mischief—his usual self.

“Not really, no.”

I scoff and snatch the dress from the furniture. Darius grins at my testy attitude and points to the left. “Down the hall, only other room in the entire cottage.”

He eyes me as I storm away with little to no pain anymore from my wound. I pass the hall, and I wonder how if there is only one room being the bath chambers and the rest of the cottage mainly holding stolen goods, where does Darius sleep? Tibith has his own space, and if he brings anyone here regularly—

I shake my head at the stupidity of those thoughts and enter the bath chambers, shutting the door behind. A tub lies in the center filled with water already like he’d done it prior to me waking up. Buckets are to the side of it, and a rosewood scent rises from the soaps inside.

Dropping the kirtle, I begin stripping, the leather sticks to uncomfortable parts of my body so that I find relief once I’m completely naked. My hands grab the ends of the bandages, peeling them off, and as I look at where the branch had impaled me, I take a breath of surprise. Nothing but a scar line that is already starting to disappear.

My brows narrow as I glance at the door, then at my hand where the other scar lies. Mud covers most of it, but for half a second, I’d thought Darius’s blood could have healed that too.

How delusional and selfish of me to want that.

I sigh, walking up to the tub. I dip my fingers into the water, thinking it’d be ice cold instead, it’s hot. Boiling almost. He must have used his Ardenti powers to keep it heated.

I climb in, lowering myself. Candles flicker along the sides, and I pick one of the soap bars, scrubbing to get rid of the dirt on my body. It’s then, when I close my eyes to go underwater, that it all comes to me like thunder striking those memories back to life.

Everything sounds louder, the movement of water rippling, the steam hissing as I think of that creature. For nine years, I believed a dragon killed my father, nine years that I loathed them, nine years hoping to one day kill one myself.

And I did

But not on my own accord.

And I loathed every second of it.

My throat burns, the desire to turn back time and save the dragon before she was captured. I don’t know where to go from here; I never imagined I’d end up in a shifter’s cottage after almost dying.

Knowing I’ve been under too long, I resurface, gasping for air. I drag my hands over my hair, and spots blur my vision until I notice something orange in the corner of my eye.

“Tibith!” I screech when I see him standing so still. I cover my breasts with my arms and cross my legs together. “You’re not supposed to be in here.” I shift my gaze to the door, annoyed I hadn’t locked it.

A crinkle above Tibith’s eyes forms as he plops onto the floor. For a creature that lacks certain features and is covered in bright fur, it’s outstanding how expressive he can be. “But-but Darry assigned me as your second protector last night.”

“Did he now?” My eyes slit mirthfully, wishing to have heard that conversation. “And is watching me while I bathe protecting me?”

Tibith’s eyes glisten like a child as he inclines his head and whispers, “you could drown Miss Nara.”

A few minutes ago, I might have. I don’t say that, but I do smile, whispering back, “I think I’ll be safe inside this tub for now.”

He angles his head, staying quiet for a moment. “Can I tell you a secret, Miss Nara?”

I look at where my hands are and flick my eyes up at him. “Now?”

He nods, standing and shuffling towards me. Opening his mouth, his fangs poke out, and he quickly closes it looking back at the door then at me again. “I don’t think you’re a creature murderer anymore.”

His innocence makes me chuckle. It’s a breath of fresh air from what I do think of myself. “Is that what Darius still thinks?” The question slips out, and my brows pull together. It shouldn’t matter if he does or not.

“Darry could never think that, Miss Nara,” Tibith says, turning to walk away, which only causes my brows to crease further and my mind to tie in knots.

“Tibith?” I call out at the last second, and he spins around. “There’s no need to call me Miss. Just Nara is fine.” My smile is sincere, and his ears twitch.

“Okay, Miss Nara!” He smiles, and I release a small laugh as he shuts the door.

I’m not sure how much longer I spend in the bath but as soon as I get out, I dry myself. I bend down to grab the kirtle, pausing midway when I see a dark brown shirt and breeches hanging off the hook.

I let go of the dress immediately, reaching for the other set of clothes. Bunching them up in my hands, the corner of my lip lifts into an impish smile. Well, I doubt the kirtle will fit me anyway.

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