Page 105 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

“It’s fine,” I say quickly.

A sharp crease forms between his brows.

I clear my throat. “Thank you for the book. I look forward to discussing it with you later.”

The tension around his eyes eases. “As do I. Good day, Elara.”

He bends at the waist in a subtle bow, his gaze hardening when it flicks to Rian, before he straightens and follows the young woman down the aisle.

I wait until their footsteps fade before whirling on Rian. “What in the hells do you think— Hey! Let me go!”

Rian’s strong fingers wrap around my bicep, fingertips nearly touching his thumb. He yanks me in the opposite direction.

“What are you doing? Release me at once!” I attempt to dig my heels into the carpet, but the flimsy sandals Thea slid onto my feet this morning offer no traction.

My skin slips against the slick soles.

“Don’t you sound formal.” Rian huffs, dragging me along without slowing, uncaring of the wide-eyed stares we’re drawing. “Has your time in that prick’s company already erased all of your Verdanthian charm?”

The suspicion that he and Anders know each other grows, but it’s overshadowed by wondering what in the hells that remark meant.

I stumble over a raised edge of carpet. Rian’s grip tightens just enough to keep me upright. My hair falls into my eyes. I shove it back and lift my chin. Tall glass doors stand ahead.

Rian drags me onto a gleaming white balcony, releasing me the moment my sandals meet the pristine stone. My pulse spikes but steadies when I realize we’re only one story up.

Rian shuts the doors behind us with a click.

A gust of sea air sweeps across the balcony, tangling the flowing skirts around my legs.

I edge away from the railing. “Are you out of your mind? You can’t just drag me around like that.”

Sunlight glints off Rian’s black hair, catching faint blue highlights threaded through the ink-dark strands. “Why not?”

I scowl.

He’s insufferable.

“What glamour are you wearing?” I ask. “What do people see when they look at you and the others?”

If the question surprises him, he doesn’t show it. “We appear part Fae. Brown hair and muddy eyes. Like most citizens of Virendrell.”

I can picture the others with brown hair easily enough.

But Rian?

My mind refuses to conjure him with anything but those midnight-black strands.

“Why not use your glamour on me?” I cross my arms. “If you haven’t noticed, being blonde makes me stand out.”

“It’s not your hair,” he mutters.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

He ignores the question. “Maintaining the glamours is difficult enough for the four of us. Especially given my current condition.”

He lifts his wrists. Sunlight strikes the manacles.

My lips part. “Oh…”