Cora sat in the armchair across from me. “I was worried about you last night and maybe I had no right to be, but seeing you today…” She let out a heavy sigh.
I tightened my grip on the onyx, consumed by thoughts of them together. Neither its warmth nor chill greeted me. It felt exactly as a stone should.
It shouldn’t even matter, but it did. “You knew from experience…”
“We don’t need to go there. I don’t even know what I want to say. I’m just worried about you. As your friend.”
I studied her. “You’re worried he took things too far? That we both did?”
She hesitated. The firelight flickered across Lioran’s dim study.
“I stopped things from escalating,” I said.
Cora released a sigh that echoed through the study. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.”
“I appreciate you looking out for me.” She eased at my words. The rest of my thoughts remained unsaid. She tried to shield me, but still I couldn’t help feeling upset about what they used to be. Even if it no longer existed.
I nestled my hands under my thighs. They quaked as Lioran and Fyn entered the room.
The fire crackled in the hearth. I stiffened, the memory of last night echoing with it.
Lioran trailed my gaze, and his breathing slowed. “Aelira?”
“I’m fine.” The words barely escaped my lips—I wanted to extinguish the fire, but for now I’d have to focus beyond the popping embers that tormented me.
“Perhaps you were right. Thalen had something to do with it all.” Fyn rubbed his temples. “The king promised you to Thalen, didn’t he? It’s why his men came after us in the woods…”
“I am still promised to him.” My words barely carried over the roaring fire.
Fyn shook his head. “Still? Lioran, you are awfully calm about this revelation.”
Lioran’s fingers trailed my back. “I knew.”
Fyn’s jaw tightened. “You knew…and you thought it would be no problem to be with his bride?” I had never seen Fyn truly snap.
“Fyn.” Lioran slammed his hand against the arm of the sofa.
Cora leaned back further in her chair. “You could have told us.”
“Please. This is my fault,” I cried.
“You didn’t choose him. Ardyn did. You didn’t even know who he was,” Lioran said.
Fyn’s hand slid over his lips as he glared at Lioran.
Cora pressed the wrinkled fabric of her gown. “Elric’s ties to Thalen are concerning. There’s something more underneath it all.” Her lips pursed as a short breath escaped her.
Lioran shifted. “You’ve seen something haven’t you?”
Cora shifted in her chair. “Nothing about Elric, but he knows things he shouldn’t—couldn’t possibly. Maybe Thalen’s magic is guiding him, but even still it doesn’t make sense.” She watched me carefully. “Aelira, does Thalen know about your magic?”
“I never told him. I didn’t even know,” I said.
“What are you implying, Cora?” Lioran asked.
I leaned into Lioran. “Does Elric have magic?”
“Odds are he does. He likes to point out that I don’t have any,” Fyn interjected. “He’s always showing up, especially around Aelira. Maybe he’s just watching her for Thalen.”
