“Theo,” she hissed, pressing harder, “I’m not some damsel who needs you to save her.”
Immediately, his hands came up.
“Drop the sword. And step away from him.”
He did as she said, but glared as he did it. Roa stared him down, not breaking her gaze until he looked away first.
“Go home,” she said.
Picking up both swords, Theo sheathed them. He didn’t look at her again. Nor did he look at Dax. Just walked out of the ruins, shoulders hunched like a man who’d just lost everything.
“Thank you,” said Dax from where he stood against the wall.
“Don’t thank me,” she said, watching Theo’s silhouette bleed into the night. “Just... do better next time.”
From across the ruined court, Lirabel said, “Maybe we should go home.”
Roa nodded.
As the rest of them headed for the horses, though, Roa lingered behind, tracing her sister’s delicate wing bone with her fingertip.
How is he going to win a revolt if he can’t even wield a sword?
That’s why he needs you,said Essie.That’s why we all need you.
Seven
Their horses halted at the same time.
Sand bloomed through the air as Theo pulled Roa to him, crushing her to his chest. The beat of his heart raced to the same tempo as hers.
As his caravan thundered past them, heading for the king’s, Roa breathed in his warm, familiar scent. Like honey and wheat. She looped her arms around his neck and hugged him hard.
“Essie found me,” he said against her cheek. Gripping her shoulder, he pulled her away so he could look at her. “I was terrified we wouldn’t reach you in time.”
Roa studied her former betrothed. His strong, unyielding jaw. His dark hair pulled back. His wheat-colored eyes set into a sun-kissed face.
In her silence, Theo reached for his water skin and uncorked it, handing it to her. Roa drank deeply.
“Are you all right?” Theo asked, assessing her for injury.
Roa didn’t know how to answer that question. So, after wiping her mouth on her sleeve and handing back the water skin, she said, “You never responded to my letters. You never came to the ruins.”
“I’m here now,” he said, still watching her.
Suddenly, the air shifted. They both looked up to find Dax coming out of the dark and into the glow of Theo’s torch. He sat atop Oleander, with Essie now perched on his fist. The fire made her white wings glow almost orange.
Dax stared at Theo’s hand. The one resting on Roa’s hip.
Theo didn’t flinch.
“Dax,” he said through his teeth. In Firgaard, Theo would never get away with being so informal with the dragon king. “It’s a rare man indeed who risks not just his own safety but that of his whole caravan.”
Dax smiled a cold smile. His voice, though, lacked any chill. In fact, it was irritatingly warm. “You were sorely missed at the treaty negotiations. I suppose you had more important matters to attend to? Sulking, perhaps?”
Roa stared at Dax. Was this his idea of diplomacy? Insulting the one they owed their lives to?
“You think this is funny?” Theo didn’t smile. “You have no provisions. No tents. No food. How did you plan on surviving till morning?” He looked down to Roa, his grip tightening on her. “You’ve put enough lives in danger tonight. Let my household and me take it from here.”
