Page 57 of Only Flames Remain

I stopped outside the large obsidian gates that would lead to the courtyard within, allowing my brothers to catch up to us.

“What happened back there?” she asked, her arms still crossed over her chest defensively.

A lock of raven hair fell over her shoulder and into her face. My hand itched toward it, eager to brush it aside. I bit the inside of my cheek. My hand remained at my side, but the ache remained.

“Changing the subject, are we?” I asked, gaze hardening.

She remained silent, turning her chin away to avoid my gaze. I took a step closer to her—into her space—forcing her gaze to draw back up toward mine. My voice lowered to a dangerous lilt.

“I know your experience in my kingdom has been…different than you expected. Don’t mistake the kindness of my kingdom for softness, Little Dove. You are forgetting just how dangerous a man I truly am. The blood of the dragon runs in my veins—we did not become rulers simply by chance. It is not a blessing from the old gods or happenstance that the name Blackwater is known throughout the farthest reaches of this realm.”

She drew as tall as she could, her gaze unwavering as it held mine.

“Kindness?” Her tone was mocking as her eyes blazed with scarcely buried fury. “I surely felt this kindness you speak of with that man’s hand groping me against my will. His promises of a hard-taught lesson fresh in my ears.”

My voice was a deadly growl. “That will not happen again, I promise you.”

“How do you plan to ensure that?” Emrys asked as he caught up to us, slinging his arm around my shoulder. “Knock out every single Vireth who so much as glances her way?”

Valerian initially laughed with him, but my expression quickly silenced them both.

I cleared my throat as I held Emrys’s gaze. “Voirel might not like it, but Father is right. I think after our little skirmish tonight…it is best if we spend a few nights in Stormgaard.”

Valerian and Emrys exchanged an austere glance.

“You can’t be serious!” Valerian protested.

“It will only be a few days.” My voice brooked no argument. “I will bring Voirel. And Aveline, of course. Allow some time for the murmurings of her origin to abate among the townspeople. It will enable me to prioritize my time for strategizing with my mind at ease, not constantly worrying about the ramifications of our current situation. It will keep Voirel out of Father’s hair.”

Valerian and Emrys offered no dispute.

After a long pause, Valerian laughed, his humor returning once more. “You only wish to delay the lashing you’re sure to receive after engaging with the duke’s favorite son. And one of our most important allies, might I add. You know, no matter how much time you spend away…Father won’t forget.”

“I’m sure,” I agreed, my mouth set in a hard line.

Aveline turned toward me. “What about Enora?”

My gaze fell on the Veytari fae, and I nodded. “She has been assigned duties here in the castle. Her indenture does not reside with me. You will see her upon our return.”

Aveline’s gaze flitted to Enora briefly—as if to object—but she let it drop. Her gaze drifted back to me once more. “What is Stormgaard?” she asked.

“My home,” I replied simply.

She frowned in confusion. “Isn’t this your home?”

Emrys’s head fell back as he shared a laugh with Valerian before wordlessly passing through the gates and leaving us for the night.

“Goodnight, Brother,” Emrys called, not bothering to turn.

“I think I’ll be off as well,” Valerian added unabashedly. He quickly disappeared behind Emrys.

I took a deep breath before turning back to Aveline.

“No, the castle at Gothryn is not my home. I’ve never been one for court politics.”

She narrowed her eyes at me. “You are the crown prince.”

I grimaced in response, closing my eyes. As if I needed the reminder. “I am…painfully aware.”