Page 147 of A Court of Thralls and Thorns

“Who?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended. “The prisoner?”

Zander’s entire body stiffened, his hand dropping to his side. “How do you know about that?”

I swallowed hard.Shit.“I overheard something,” I said carefully. “About a fae prisoner kept in the lower dungeons.”

His gaze pinned me, assessing. “What else do you know?”

“That he’s powerful,” I admitted. “And that the king isn’t the only one interested in him.”

Zander’s mouth pressed into a thin line. “My father thinks that the prisoner has answers—that he knows something about the Blood Fae’s movements. But I don’t buy it. The king’s been visiting him in secret.”

“And you think he’s being manipulated?” I asked.

Zander turned his back to me for a moment as if gathering his thoughts. “I think someone is. My father’s been... unstable before, but never like this.” He turned back to me, his expression grim. “I’m afraid he’s about to make a decision that puts all of us at risk.”

I knew Zander had just given me information he probably shouldn’t have shared—especially with a commoner like me. The trust it implied was unsettling, and I wasn’t sure if I could return it. Could I really trust him?

“Cordelle has access to the lorekeeper books,” I said slowly, choosing my words carefully. “His father’s been training him. Cordy’s expected to take his place when he passes.”

Zander’s expression shifted—something that looked almost like relief flickered across his face before vanishing. “That’s excellent news,” he said, his voice quieter now. “I could request the same information, but my father would question why I was digging into it.”

“You’ll keep this between us,” I asked.

“I will,” he promised.

He leaned closer, his gaze intense. The warmth of his body felt like a magnet pulling me in. “I wasn’t aware Jarrah had started training Cordelle, but I’ll never betray your confidence.”

I believed him. It was unsettling... but it wasn’t unpleasant.

The room felt smaller with Zander so close, his presence filling every corner like a storm pressing against glass. I knew I should say something—thank him for trusting me, maybe—but the words tangled in my throat.

“I’m sorry about earlier,” he said quietly. “About... Theron, and what he said.” His fingers flexed at his sides like he was resisting the urge to reach for me. “He was out of line.”

I swallowed hard. “It doesn’t matter.”

“It does.” His voice dropped lower, softer. “You’ve been dragged into something you don’t understand, and I should’ve handled it better.”

His gaze locked on mine, and suddenly all the frustration and tension melted into something else—something heavier, warmer. A pull I couldn’t fight.

“I don’t know if I can trust anyone right now,” I admitted, my voice scarcely above a whisper. “But... I want to trust you.”

His hand rose slowly, his fingers brushing against my cheek. I leaned into it without meaning to, desperate for something solid after everything that had unraveled today.

“You can,” he murmured, his thumb tracing the curve of my jaw. “I swear you can.”

Then his lips were on mine—tentative at first, like he wasn’t sure if I’d pull away. But when I didn’t, when I kissed him back with every ounce of frustration, confusion, and aching want burning inside me, his hand slid to my waist, drawing me closer. His kiss deepened, rougher now, like he’d been holding himself back for far too long.

I clutched at his jacket, my fingers curling into the leather as if I could anchor myself there. For a moment, everything faded—my father, the Order, Remy... even Kaelith.

But then Zander pulled back, breathless and wild-eyed.

“We need to go back,” he said, voice hoarse.

I didn’t move, couldn’t. My pulse thundered in my ears.

“I... I have something for you.” His voice steadied as he reached behind him, unhooking a long leather-wrapped item from his belt. He unrolled it, revealing a sleek, elegant rapier.

The blade gleamed like silver water, slender but deadly. Intricate runes were carved into the guard, and the hilt was wrapped in dark leather, with a small sapphire set into the pommel.