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I held his stare for a few breaths, then glanced to where Kage had disappeared.

Was it a lie? Had Kage only dragged out heated emotions to spark my power so he might claim the victory for himself? Was it darker than all that? Did he want to manipulate me the way he’d manipulated my own bones?

While Destin murmured to the guards to see to it I was rested for new studies tomorrow, I could not help that the only lie was the notion that Kage Wilder had not burrowed deep inside me moments ago, and I doubted I would ever desire to be free of him.

I did not understand it, this hold he had on me, and I no longer wanted to.

In truth, I only wanted more of him.

CHAPTER 20

Kage

I could not stop staringat the gentle slant of ink on one of my unknown missives I’d found tucked amongst books in my room many weaves back. A stack of several short letters, written from the war. They were not mine, and I’d long ago assumed they’d slipped into my chamber through the many trades of books and ledgers over the seasons.

The first was made of a simple thought on the front page.

Open the pits of rage for your love. Stand shoulder to shoulder, side by side, warriors for your hearts. In those moments, where you would give it all, that is where your power lies.

The call to arms for love on the front page was powerful, thought provoking, but my favorite piece of the note came by the scratched thoughts on the back.

Spells were added on the next lines, but all surrounding the heart and the power that flowed from love and devotion toward a partner.

Simple spells like heartstring tonic, meant to soothe anger so quarreling partners couldremain calm during disagreements. Finger of flame, meant to give a lover a soothing bit of heat from the touch of their partner. Cupios elixir, a potion to heighten pleasure.

I chuckled at the bawdy comments listed beside measurements.

Add a pinch more wormroot under the tongue and your scent will be intoxicating.

Half a spoon of liverbane leaf rubbed over the flesh, and skin to skin will race the heart.

Personal favorite: a drop of sunseed oil behind each ear and every sound from your mouth will only feed into the intensity of, well, you know, the ending.

Another chuckle followed as I read. Upon finding it, I questioned Cy. He’d denied it—a thing he’d never do if it was him—but in the end he’d simply copied the notes for his own use.

I folded the note when it led to thoughts of Adira Ravenwood.

My stomach tightened. Since yesterday, Destin had not left her side. My brother cared deeply, and I did not fault him for his mistrust in me. I’d done little to earn it since darkness began to spread.

But there was a selfishness I could not shake, a desire to keep things between me and Adira Ravenwood. As though there was a me and her.

I traced the edge of the other letters, opening them one by one. For what reason, I didn’t know. There’d always been something comforting about them.

You, my love, are wrong on this point. I only dare say this, of course, because I am far from you in the frozen cliffs of Myrkfell. By the way, how is the comfortable fire? Such a difficult existence you live.

Back to you being entirely, completely mistaken—adder stone is not the best solution to heal the bite of the swamp snake. I will stand bythe assertion it takes a good wrap of blood lily leaves with simple crushed ginger root.

No worries, we all make mistakes. I’ve assured the men you are still the second most powerful spell caster in the region. Leave it to me to keep your good name.

I don’t miss you much, only when I breathe.

I’ll look into your eyes soon. I’ll touch your skin until I’ve memorized you again. I’ll hold you close until it was as though we were never parted.

Until then.

I re-read the missive twice before peeling open the next.

My arrogant, aggravating love. It has been confirmed by the master of seers that adder stone is the supreme healing tool when it comes to bites. Cease your stubbornness and heal his wound properly.