Page 94

Concerned, he made her drink a whole glass of water. She leaned on his shoulder gratefully.

“You’re lovely,” she said, looking at him doe-eyed. “The scales. The tentacles. I love everything.”

“Thank you,” he said gravely, trying not to smile. “I love you too. And I owe you an apology.”

“For what?”

“For springing that conversation on you yesterday. About bearing my heirs. It was wrong of me to suggest it.”

Her brow wrinkled as she tried to concentrate.

“I think… I think we need to talk about that when I’m sober.”

His heart lifted a little. At least she wanted to talk about it.

“You need to sleep, beloved. Let me help you.”

He knelt by the bedside and slid off her boots one by one. She giggled as his hands touched her bare feet.

“Tickles.”

“Get into bed.”

“Get in with me.”

“You’re in no state…”

She tugged at his arm and he gave in. He held back the blankets as she climbed into bed, still fully clothed, then lay down next to her. She snuggled into his chest with a contented sigh.

“Only one round to go,” she murmured. “And then we can be like this forever.”

“You’ve done so well to get this far,” he said. “I’m very proud of you.”

She lifted her head as she remembered something.

“I need a favor. In the combat round, I want to face Layahn.”

“Kara, no! She is the most dangerous contestant remaining. Choose one of the others.”

“I want Layahn,” she said stubbornly. “I owe her one. And Idefinitelyowe her uncle after today.”

“Baelon? Why?”

She dropped her head back onto his chest.

“He put something on the post. Something that burned me.”

Vahn frowned.

“You are certain?”

“It’s the only reason I fell. It hurt so much, I thought my hands were on fire.”

“But you are sure it was Baelon? It is a serious accusation to make.”

“I know it was him. He shaid...saidas much the other day.”

Vahn went very still.