Page 50 of A Fate in Flames

I gave him a flat look, following his movements.“Um… theking.”

Theo scoffed, entirely unimpressed, and ran a hand through his already dishevelled hair.“I don’t carewhathe is.”

I sighed, shaking my head, though I couldn’t help smiling.His protective instinct was as predictable as it was unnecessary.

“Either way,” I said, trying to refocus.“We,” I gestured a finger back and forth between us, “have to make them believe we’re not a threat.”

The creak of the door opening broke through the tension in the room.

I flinched, bracing myself for danger on instinct—until I saw who it was.

“Tavrik!”

I shot forward, relief flooding me all over again, but the second I got close, sadness swelled in my chest.Bruises marked his jaw, and violet shadows bloomed along his arms.

Tavrik pulled me into a brief, but tight embrace before he quickly pushed me to arm’s length and scanned me over.Not with the teasing amusement Theo had, but with sharp eyes, searching for injuries.

Behind me, Theo’s foot tapped impatiently, a rhythmic beat against the floor.I glanced over my shoulder, meeting his exaggerated eye roll before returning my attention back to Tavrik.

Tavrik didn’t ask what had happened to me—didn’t ask for me to relive the details of my torture, and it was obvious he didn’t want to talk about what he had been through either.I didn’t press for details.If anything, I was grateful tonottalk about it.

With deliberate steps, Tavrik walked past me to Theo, pulling him into a quick, fierce hug and delivering three sharp, echoing slaps to his back.Then he took a seat on the wooden chair.

Theo’s response was immediate and predictable.“You love me, don’t you?Admit it.”

“Like I’d love a headache,” Tavrik replied, but there was no real sting in his words and the slight quirk of his mouth betrayed him.

Theo sidled closer to me.

“Our ‘cells’ were right next to each other.”He smiled, broad and bright “Quite the bonding experience.I knowallhis secrets now.”

Tavrik dropped his head back, looking to the ceiling with an annoyed huff that might’ve been a poorly disguised laugh.

“You two were next to each other?”I asked, perching on the edge of the bed.

“Unfortunately, yes,” Theo quipped.“They found the perfect torture for me—making me share a wall with him and his obnoxious snoring.”

“For the hundredth time, Idon’tsnore,” Tavrik growled, crossing his arms over his chest.The gesture made the bruises stand out even more against his skin.

“Don’tsnore?”Theo’s brows shot up.“Are we still living in this delusion?”

I had to bite my lip hard to stifle my laughter.

Theo turned to me, one hand pressed to his heart.“I was prepared to confess to sins I hadn’t even committed just so they would move me to a different cell.”

“Stop exaggerating,” Tavrik replied.“At least I wasn’t begging for a pillow because my neck is too delicate.”

I couldn’t contain it anymore.I burst into laughter, the sound startling in its fullness, as if my body had forgotten how to make such a joyful noise until now.It felt so good to have them back.

“I missed you both so much,” I admitted, my voice wavering with genuine happiness and my eyes shining with unshed tears.

“We missed you too,” Tavrik said.

Theo’s face contorted with annoyance.“I can answer for myself, you know?”

“We know,” Tavrik and I both replied.

Theo shook his head before flopping onto the bed.