‘I’ve never had anyone to help me train,’ I admitted. ‘My fire’s probably wild compared to everyone else’s. I don’t even know what’s normal.’
Concern flickered across his face. ‘Nobody trained you? I assumed—’
‘What did you assume? Ortensia doesn’t have fire-wielders. Not that my mother ever cared to find any. Apart from me, but I hardly count.’
‘Why would you say that?’
A blush crept into my cheeks again. ‘I can barely use my flames to dry a puddle.’
A flicker of conflict crossed his face. His gaze drifted to our joined hands, where our flames intertwined like living threads. ‘I thought your father would have taught you. Your fire must come from him, right?’
The question stung. Embarrassed, I admitted, barely above a whisper, ‘I’ve never met him. My mother never entertained my questions.’
The wordmotherfelt poisoned now, a reminder of pain rather than comfort.
‘I’ll train you,’ he said quietly.
I accepted his offer with a small nod.
When we returned to the carefully secured castle, I once again wondered if there was a reason he had been on edge. Something must have been brewing, given the power he constantly radiated and the number of soldiers stationed around the perimeter. I even asked why there were so many as we drove in, but he wouldn't give me a real answer.
Lying in bed, with my thoughts drifting across past, present, and future, my mind wandered to the raven-haired girl who had sent River flying. Michael told me she was mated to his brother—did he mean the king? He never attacked her back…
Would the king be spending time with me one-on-one if he were already mated? Perhaps that explained why the woman had been so furious.
But would he really be spending his spare time with me like this if he already belonged to another?
Chapter Sixteen
Avari
Waking from restless slumber, last night’s fears returned to assault my mind. Bringing my dragon to Fogoya felt final, a decision that made me question my place in this court and whether I’d been too hasty.
I would have preferred to wait a few more days, to test the waters and make sure the king’s new, gentler side wasn’t just a mask meant to manipulate me.
But Anya had made up her mind, and if I refused to conjure her, she’d threatened to track me down and scorch my hair. Although I wasn't particularly concerned with the threat, our relationship had been strained enough already.
Uneasy, I skipped breakfast and spent the long hours lying still until training time finally came. As I descended the stairs, nerves knotted tight in my stomach. I prayed quietly, foolishly, that someone, anyone, would tell me if this was the right choice.
‘Tell me what it feels like when you conjure your dragon,’ River requested after forming several flaming dragonswith his power. They soared around us in synchronised motions. The ease with which he wielded his fire inspired me. It was all my own power needed to thrash inside me, desperate for release.
I kicked a stray rock back onto the pebbled pathway, but it did nothing to ease the frustration simmering in my chest. Trying to describe something as vast as conjuring in words felt impossible. Language wasn’t made for sensations that deep.
Besides, ‘It’s different to conjuring it for the first time.’
The king stood close, much closer than the last few times we practised before I was almost swallowed and spat out by my mother’s curse. His eyes glistened with resolve as he watched the flaming beasts fly above us, roaring fire in all directions. It was breathtaking, but I couldn’t focus on anything beyond my unease.
It was far too easy to forget how much he loathed witches. Maybe he’d been ignoring that part of me for the sake of my fire-breathing half, but denial wasn’t a strategy that could last.
‘What happened when you first conjured her?’ he pressed. ‘Give me some context so I can try to replicate it.’
‘Believe me,’ I said softly, ‘you don’t want to replicate that.’
His smile faltered. The warmth in his eyes cooled, curiosity hardening into something resembling compassion. The change startled me.
Now was the time. I’d promised my dragon, and I had to keep my end of the deal. Dragons longed for companionship, and the distance between us had left hollows in both our hearts.
And mine raced. ‘I actually thought maybe we could take a different approach today, if you don’t mind.’
