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“Khiara, there is no cure. Aisha’s tried everything.”
“Everythingsheknows, maybe, but not everything I know.”
I grab Riot by the hand and pull him behind me. I run, stepping on my dress as my feet sink in the snow. My boots have no grip in the wet slush and I fly forward.
Riot’s arm snakes around my waist as my feet come out from under me. He pulls me to his chest to keep me from landing on my ass and holds me upright. A flash of heat simmers between us and the cold air crackles and steams off my coat.
“Easy, princess. I just got you cooled off. I’d hate to see you burst into flames again.”
I get my bearings and right myself again. The hem of my dress is soaked and my toes are freezing, but I’m not on fire or on my ass. As embarrassing as it was to need him, I call this a win. “I need to go to the library. Can you get me in?”
“Yes, but not tonight.”
“Why not?” I plead, mortified to be begging a Hunter for help.
“Because the sun set ages ago and Bash should be waiting for you.”
Right. I’d forgotten. The date I agreed to this morning. Stars above, how was that only twelve hours ago? I’m not going to survive the Culling if the days move this slowly.
Riot opens the door for me and the temperature between the atrium and the outside is stifling. “You probably shouldn't wear that into your room.”
I take his jacket off, then button it again, remembering the scorch marks on my dress. I can’t explain what happened to it without opening the door to more questions. If anyone asks about the coat, I was cold…easy enough to justify. “Why not?”
“Because my scent on you will drive the prince mad.”
The thought makes me giddy but I push it aside. As we pass through the atrium, I steal a few crabapple blooms and tuck them into the coat pocket. My mind is a mess. My magic may have fought Ezra’s love spellbut it still lingers in my blood, clinging to any emotion and amplifying it. I need to brew a detoxing tea before I do something I’ll regret.
Would I regret it?
The thought is intrusive and jarring but as I make my way back to my room, I have to acknowledge that there are two handsome men in my life. One who made my heart race, even before I was cursed, and another who has consistently surprised me with his kindness. I don’t trust either of them, not fully, but I don’t hate spending time with them either.
There’s a note taped to my door when we arrive. Riot hurries ahead and snatches it free, one hand on his sword like he’s preparing for an attack. He grunts and hands it to me.
Sorry to cancel, but something has come up. Send Riot to me when you return. –Bash
A guilty wave of relief washes over me. Losing control of my magic today was exhausting. I could push through and have the date with Bash, but it wouldn’t be enjoyable. I’d be tired and worried that if I got too excited or angry something might happen again. I’ve made fire before, but not that big. Just like I’ve created a blast of heat and my hands have unintentionally burned one of our horses. There’s no telling what my magic could do.
“Your room is clear,” Riot says, rejoining me.
I don’t remember him walking away and I didn’t notice his movements in my webs either. I take a deep breath and try to calm my racing heart. I’m not on my A-game right now and carelessness gets people killed.
“Thank you.” This time, I’m not ashamed to say the words.
He nods, a thin line of worry appearing between his eyes. I close the door and fall onto the bed. I’ll move the wardrobe to secure the room in a few minutes. I just need to close my eyes and gather some strength. Distantly, I sense Riot outside my door. He hasn’t left and I’m oddly comforted by his presence.
The sky is in that beautiful state the next morning, between day and night, where pink light shines through my window and freshly fallen snow sits undisturbed.
Riot knocks on the door and my magic dances excitedly when it catches him in my webs. I’m happy to see him, even though I’m still groggy from sleep. I shuffle across the room, not ready to take on the world, and let him in.
He carries a tray with fresh-cut fruit, orange juice, eggs, and toast cradled in his hands. He sets it on the vanity and arches a brow when he sees me.
I look down at myself and realize I’m still in yesterday’s clothes, boots and all. I knocked out, barely feeling like I slept, yet somehow found today. My back aches like I’ve slept on the hard ground instead of a soft mattress, and my head has a subtle but annoying ache.
Unlike me, Riot looks well-rested and ready for action. His hair is a little messy, and his shirt is wrinkled, but it’s acceptable for men to look rumpled. A woman is expected to be clean, primped, and dressed to entertain at a moment’s notice. It’s why we have aids to help us get ready in the morning, and men don’t.
“Good morning,” I mumble, rubbing the sleep from my eyes and stifling a yawn. “What time is it?”
“Early. Vidya has you scheduled to meet with her first thing.” He walks to my wardrobe and slides the hangers across the bar, looking at each outfit.
