Reese laid a hand on my arm and left it there. A steady stream of heat rushed through my limbs, warming my entire body.
A tremor ran through my fingers, and nervous flutters danced in my heart.
Part of me knew what that feeling was. The other part staunchly denied it.
Shadows had poured from my hands. I was an abomination that the Inquisitors would hunt. A monster the Solhearts would paint as an agent of the black tide.
The reason we lived in darkness, devoid of our god’s light.
I had no right to feel butterflies over a man who would be disgusted when he peered into my heart and learned the truth.
Chapter 28
Diar
Ileaned against the window, enjoying a privilege I never thought I'd have: watching two Paragons train.
Exhausted and spent, Lady Rohan fell to her knees. Reese offered her a hand and guided her back inside.
Ferris joined me by the window. He leaned against the wall, ankles crossed. "You know your way around a blade, unlike Mare. Who trained you?"
My grip around my blade tightened. "My brother did."
"In secret, I imagine?"
"Not really," I said, stepping away from the window. "Father spent most of our childhood away, and Mother never paid much attention to us."
"Ah, absent mothers. I have mine to thank for half the times I've gotten away with . . . well, that's besides the point."
He smiled and chuckled. I didn't understand. My mother's indifference had wounded me as a child. These days, I'd quit seeking her love.
Ferris folded his arms. "Why did he bother, though? He knew you'd never be allowed to fight."
"It was for fun, at first. Then, for days like this. The women in Galasvar died, too. Akemi wanted me to have a fighting chance." I ran a hand along the creaky bedpost.
How was I supposed to sleep, knowing Father would be calling for my blood, and death approached from the south?
"Don't think you'll be able to sleep?" Ferris voiced my thoughts. "I'd sing you a lullaby if only I had my lute."
"You can play music?"
"Don't sound so surprised."
I chuckled. "Father says royals are pampered whelps with little talent. I figured you'd just hire someone to play music for you."
Ferris started to protest, then shrugged. "Your Father isn't far off the mark. You'd be appalled to learn how many servants the average Solheart house employs. I'd hesitate to call myself spoiled, though." His emerald eyes followed me to the door. "Reese told you to stay put, remember?"
"I need to pace, or something."
"Well, far be it from me to discourage disobedience.” Ferris pulled the door open for me with a smirk.
We padded down the dark, frigid hall. The cold intensified when we stepped outside onto the snow-packed street. Ice floated on the wind and sank deep into my lungs with every breath.
It felt amazing.
Ferris wrapped his cloak around himself. "You're enjoying this wretched weather. Iceborns are insane."
"No, you Stormborns are."
