“You grabbed me. I thought?—”
“You don’t even know me.”
“Romance doesn’t require knowing, only—” He sputtered and closed his eyes. “You made me lose concentration.”
Heart fluttering, I shimmied away from him.
Men. Akemi had warned me they were all the same.
Had that been a romantic moment? I’d missed it.
Curse my inability to read anyone.
Glowing emerald light flashed across the snowy yard as Ferris’ dragon flew toward us. It dove behind the hedges and dropped a sword from its talons into my lap.
I sat bolt upright, grabbed the hilt, and pulled it from its sheath.
Akemi's sword gleamed beneath the light of the twin moons, betraying only a hint of the crimson blood folded within.
Relieved, I brushed the snow from my lap and stood. “Did anyone see you?’
“I don’t think so.” Ferris flicked his wrist, and the dragon scattered into the snow. “Youdiddistract me, though.”
“I’m impressed.” I turned around, facing the eastern wall. There was a loose stone there that made it easy to climb.
I took one step and stopped.
Where would Quinn be, exactly? He’d told me to stay put while he attended his meeting, but hadn’t given any details.
Ferris stepped around me. “Solhearts stick to wealthier parts of town. Since Tsuyan doesn’t have a palace, I’d imagine they’re in the nicest inn.”
“Right.” I nodded and strode across the yard. Wishing I had a belt for my blade, I stepped up onto the uneven brick and climbed over, dropping to the other side.
Ferris followed me with ease, landing beside me and pulling his hood up. He offered me an arm. “Do you want to be my wife or courtesan?”
“Courtesan,” I said. “I don’t have the manners of a wife.”
“I’m beginning to realize that,” Ferris said, leading me away from my manor.
Away from my prison.
It wasn’t until we were safely down the road that I realized how my chest tightened and my breath caught in my throat.
With Akemi gone, home held only foul memories. Of Father’s anger and disappointment. Of a window that showed the same view, day after day. Of Mother, and her indifference.
“So, this Solheart,” Ferris said. “What do you know about him?”
“That he was there the night someone tried to kill your father,” I said. “That he led me to Siotha and tried to convince me it chose me.”
Ferris stopped in the middle of the street. “What?”
“I can’t figure out his game. I’m hoping he'll be candid with his friends.” Yanking Ferris’ arm, I got him moving again.
“And you think these are the same men who killed the Emperor?” He lowered his voice.
“They must be,” I said.
In truth, I had no proof of anything—only a hunch driven by my thirst for answers.
