Page 176 of A Court of Thralls and Thorns

He took a step back, his fingers curling tightly into fists like he was trying to physically restrain himself.

“Or we give in to it,” he said quietly. “And burn it out the old-fashioned way.”

I swallowed hard, feeling my pulse hammer against my ribs. Every instinct screamed at me to grab him, to pull him back to me, and let that fire consume us both.

“And if we don’t?” I whispered.

Zander’s face was grim. “If we fight it…” His gaze locked with mine, dark and intense. “It’s going to hurt like hell.”

I forced myself to nod, even as my skin burned like I was standing in dragon fire.

Chapter

Thirty-Six

Istared at Zander through the haze of burning heat, my body feeling like it was wrapped in fire. My skin tingled, restless and desperate for something to ease the pressure. The memory of his mouth on mine lingered, cooling the ache for a fleeting second before it flared even stronger.

“I’m sorry,” I rasped. My voice felt thin and broken. “I didn’t mean to pull you into this.”

Zander’s brow furrowed, and for a moment, I thought he might brush it off. But instead, his face hardened. “Was it the Order?”

“Yes,” I admitted. “But not one of my father’s men.” I swallowed against the lump in my throat. “It was The Order of the Blade.”

He exhaled heavily and ran a hand through his hair. “That’s worse.”

“Yeah,” I said, feeling the fire lick at my ribs.

His gaze flicked back to me, sweeping over my face like he was weighing something in his mind. “Prospects aren’t allowed… relations,” he said carefully. “Not until they reach cadet status.”

I barked a laugh that was equal parts bitter and pained. “Like they could lock me out. Kaelith won’t allow that.” I tried to smirk, but it faltered. “I die whenshesays so.”

His lips twitched despite the tension in his face. “She said that?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s actually a good sign.”

“A good sign?” I arched a brow, pressing a shaky hand to my burning chest. “I’m practically boiling from the inside out, and you’re telling me this isgood?”

“It means she’s claimed you,” he said simply. “That means your bond is getting stronger.” His gaze softened. “It means she believes in you.”

I let my head fall back against the pillow. “That’s comforting,” I muttered, the fire crawling higher in my veins.

“What do we do?” I asked after a moment. My voice barely held together, as if speaking aloud would splinter me apart.

“I have an idea,” Zander said.

I tilted my head and gave him a dry smile. “At this point, I’ll take anything that doesn’t involve dying.”

His expression sobered, and he moved closer, his fingers brushing the hair away from my sweat-dampened face. His hand lingered for just a second longer than necessary, and I could feel the restraint coiling in his muscles—the same tension burning beneath my own skin.

“I’ll take care of you,” he promised quietly.

His fingers trailed down my jaw, and I swore the fire flickered—not lessened, but somehow more focused.

“Whatever your idea is…” I whispered. “I trust you.”

Zander crossed the room without a word, opening a door that led to the next chamber. I heard the distant rush of water, and for a moment, I thought I’d imagined it. But a few moments later, he returned, his face set in grim determination.