“Just answer my stars-damned question, Raelyna.”
My heart skipped a beat. My stomach rolled in pain.
“One,” I said as the song ended, and I thanked all five gods for the small mercy.
“Are you sure about that?”
“What type of question even is that?” I muttered as he led me off the dance floor. “I’ve had one elemental affinity for over acentury. I’d say I’m pretty certain of my answer. Now, for the love of Astara, let me go,please.” The word was nearly a plea as he released my waist.
“It’s the type of question I think you should start asking,” he stated as he began to turn away. “Your sister’s markings weretampered with. Perhaps yours were too. Perhaps you should haveothermarkings visible that aren’t there yet.”
“Perhaps you should drink less on the job,” I replied as my head pulsed with pain. “What you’re saying is insane.”
“Not insane . . . Just consider my words. Judging by the faint outlines on your forearm, I think it’s something you should consider.” His body turned from me, his footsteps taking him in the opposite direction.
What outline?I wanted to question, except another wave of nausea coursed through me, and it took every fiber in me to make it out of the throne room before I sagged against the wall, tilting my head toward the ceiling as I breathed deeply. The ceiling seemed to stretch far into the abyss, my head spinning as the lights flickered in dizzy patterns.
Faintly, I could hear the swell of a soft melody playing in the air, the laughter floating from the throne room. But I could hardly focus as I reminded myself to take a deep breath.
In.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Out.
One.
Two.
“Stars-damn.” A voice sounded from somewhere above me—no, ahead of me. “This is not how I wanted to find you.”
I forced my eyes open the slightest crack, my vision swimming as I looked toward the male in front of me. Gray wings expanded from behind his back, stretching wide as he scooped me into his arms and pushed off the ground.
Finn.
I groaned as my center of gravity shifted off-kilter and the desire to vomit rose within me.
Flying was so not ideal.
I felt the air brush across my face as Finn darted through the back halls of Solis Court before stopping in front of a distantly secluded door that was propped open. We landed before the door with a soft thud, and I heard it creak open.
“You can put me down, Finn,” I mumbled as I pinched the bridge of my nose, thanking Astara I hadn’t gotten a nosebleed this time.
“You reek of multiple males and ambrosia. So, just tell me, was it another episode or not?”
Just tell him,the voice inside my head answered for me as my lips parted, the word “ambrosia” falling off them.
He sighed. The noise seemed to be flooded with relief, but I couldn’t be sure as I fought a raging headache.
“Just stay here. I’ll be back soon with Emberly.”
I nodded as he set me down—somewhat unceremoniously, I might add—on the couch in the room. I heard the door swing before I’d even processed that he’d left me. I sank against the material, feeling the soft fabric beneath my head as I closed my eyes and resumed counting in my head, waiting for the brain fog to abate.
