Page 51 of A Fate in Flames

I let out a slow breath, settling more comfortably on the edge of the mattress.Exhaustion pressed down harder now, my eyelids growing heavier with each passing second, but I forced myself to stay upright and repeateverythingI had told Theo.It was draining to talk so much, especially after not having anyone to talk to for so long.

Tavrik listened like soldier, trying to think of a way to get in their good graces.

All I knew with bone-deep certainty was that Jasilahatedme, and now thanks to my ever-growing stupidity, so did the king.

After what felt like hours of circling the same terrible options—mainly suggested by Theo—we all finally agreed to the only plan that made sense.We would act as if everything was fine, at least until we could figure out our next move.We would simply pretend.It wasn’t much of a plan, but it was all we had.

Though I suspected I was going to have to work a lot harder than either of them.

Tavrik and Theo retreated to their rooms, conveniently across the darkened hall.The moment the door shut behind them, I felt exhaustion crash over me like a wave.

I didn’t bother to bathe or change out of the ridiculous clothes.I simply climbed into the bed, letting the soft comfort swallow me whole.

In the darkness, I couldn’t shake the feeling that our simple plan was going to get us all killed.

I snapped upright, heaving, the cold air replacing the fire that still burned in my lungs.My hair clung to my damp skin, matted with sweat.It took me a moment to register my surroundings—the chamber, the soft bed, the lingering scent of incense and fire.

And Mira.

I clutched the sheets to my chest.She stood motionless by the doorway, a statue carved from living flesh.A flicker of concern crossed her face, genuine worry that disappeared so quickly I might’ve imagined it.

She cleared her throat awkwardly, shifting the bundle of fabrics in her arms.

“I was just bringing you some fresh clothes.”

Her eyes swept over me, taking in my trembling frame, the way I gripped the sheets as if they were the only thing anchoring me to this world.She stepped forward, placing the fabrics at the edge of the mattress, the scent of jasmine following her.

“Are you ill?”she asked, brow furrowing as she studied my flushed face.“You look fevered.”

Before I could protest, her cool fingers pressed against my forehead.I shuddered at the contrast, my skin burning beneath her touch, then I sighed in relief.Her cool palm soothed the lingering fire.

I pushed past the terror still curling in my gut and sat up.“I’m fine.Just a bad dream.”

Mira didn’t look convinced, but she let it go.A kindness I was grateful for.

Eager to change the flow of conversation, I motioned toward the neatly folded garments.

“Should I expect something more modest this time, or are we keeping with last night’s theme?”I asked, attempting humour despite the dryness in my throat.

She chuckled.“It’s styled differently, but pretty much the same.”She shot me an apologetic look.

Of course.

With more effort than it should’ve required, I threw off the covers, swinging my legs over the side of the bed.The stone floor sent a shock of cold through my bare feet, I curled my toes against it, welcoming the sensation.

There was so much I wanted to ask Mira, so many questions burning on my tongue.

“I met your friends,” she said before I could even form the words, her lips curving into a smile that transformed her face.

I recognised the expression immediately.

“Oh?”I raised my brow and folded my arms to my chest, bracing myself for what I knew would follow.

“Tavrik is—” she hesitated, trying to find the right word.“Intimidating.”A visible shiver ran through her, but then she sighed dreamily.“ButTheo…”

And there it was.

A swoon.A proper, breathy swoon.