Page 27 of A Kingdom of Fire and Fury (House of Embers #1)

I almost preferred hating Kieran. Because now that I knew he liked a commoner’s meal or that the weight of everyone’s lives pressed down on his shoulders heavily, I felt something for the jerk. Something akin to compassion. But I didn’t want to think about that.

I pushed the thoughts from my mind and went down to the dragon caves which I’d thankfully been given permission to go to while I was still under lockdown due to the investigation. Since the attack, Umara had taken to staying there, even though I knew she preferred to be out in the open.

Umara nudged my shoulder when I stopped stroking her.

I smiled, but it became strained when some of her emotions slipped down the bond.

Fear, guilt, and grief so thick it made me want to cry.

I threw my arms around her neck. “If something happens to me, don’t do anything drastic.

Unless I’ve been murdered by Luther. Then you can totally go ballistic and kill his ass. ”

Umara growled. It rattled my bones, but I ignored her and clung tighter. “But seriously, don’t do anything drastic. I want you to look after Clara, first and foremost. Keep her safe. And move on. Don’t let yourself wallow, okay?”

I closed my eyes. That’s when I felt it—a cool shadow sweeping through the caves. I exhaled and pulled away. “You can go away. You’re not wanted, and Umara can keep me safe.”

A shadow brushed my throat, and I shuddered. My whole body jolted to attention in ways I didn’t want to think about. “Stop lurking in the shadows like a pervert.”

Another shadow trailed up my arm, the touch slightly mocking and yet…

yet it further fanned the flames in my belly.

But I wasn’t going to let him know that.

I felt a heavy presence behind me and didn’t need to look to know it was Kieran.

“You’re the one who likes it. Don’t think I didn’t notice that reaction.

” He leaned in my ear. “Do you want me, little thief?”

My cheeks heated, but I raised my chin. “Don’t try to turn this back on me. You’re the one who’s obsessed. I was trying to get away from you.”

“I’d never allow that.”

I scowled, some of my amusement falling. “Believe me, I know.”

He moved to stand in front of me. “Don’t be like that. The guard is for your protection, Selena. Someone tried to kill you. I’d be a poor captain if I didn’t take precautions.”

Something close to warmth flowed through my veins, but I refused to acknowledge it.

If only Kieran had stayed a jackass, so I wouldn’t have felt these annoying emotions.

I couldn’t let myself forget I was merely a tool for him.

“You’re not selling me on the dragonsguard.

Since I’ve joined, countless people have tried to kill me. ”

“To be fair, you started this. Well, Umara did, but you finished it by accepting the first flight.”

Despite the amusement lacing his tone, the words stung. “How long will I need a bodyguard? It’s a waste of our resources.” I’d feel better when whoever hired those assassins faced the execution flames.

“Soon. We’re still looking for our culprit.”

I rolled my eyes. “You all keep looking in the wrong direction. I’m telling you, it’s not Andova who sent those men.”

He considered me. “Accusing people can get you into even deeper shit. Especially if you’re pointing a finger at a noble.”

I fought to control my breath. “Just because I’m a street rat doesn’t mean my opinion isn’t valuable.

If anything, I know the streets better than anyone else, especially the people’s motivations.

No one would take a job like this. Not without a lot of money.

Whoever hired those men knew who to target, which meant they were watching the area.

I don’t think an Andovan spy could get that much detail or know just who to contact.

And I don’t think it was someone acting out just to act out.

People usually don’t take on something like that unless they think they have a way out.

” The attack was a suicide mission—that much was obvious.

“I’m not discounting you.” When I arched a brow, his lips twitched into the faintest hint of a smile. “You’re annoying and impulsive and let your emotions cloud your judgment. But you do have a point.”

My shoulders relaxed slightly. “Do you think Aurelia sent them?”

“I don’t think so.” He levelled me with a look. “But I’ll be looking into it as will Gareth. I won’t let anyone harm you. Not while you’re useful to me.”

Prick. “You’re awful at making this job sound beneficial.”

“You mean besides safety for your family?” When my nostrils flared, he added, “We do a lot of good.”

I snorted. “Like what?” The dragonsguard were like nobles. They probably sat on their asses most of the day and the ‘patrols’ were more for show than anything.

“We kill gryphons, for one. Transport goods for another. You’d be surprised how often we’re reduced to transport.”

“Sounds glamorous.”

He grinned wickedly. “In times of peace, we have a lot of free time. Because of that, I’ve seen much of the kingdom.

That amount of travel wouldn’t have been possible without Hesperos.

” Now that caught my attention. Kieran noticed, because of course he did.

And he jumped on it. “I know you’ve never left the capital. ”

“Stalker.” But there was no heat to my words.

“Thief.” He matched my tone, saying the word with a teasing lightness that reflected in his grin. “Go on an adventure with me. ”

I sure as hell wasn’t about to say no. When we took off, I was surprised that Umara flew next to Hesperos. Normally, she did her own thing and stayed away from any dragon that wasn’t her mate. Though her being so close made it easier to talk to Kieran.

I reached out and ran my hand through a cloud. “Amazing,” I breathed. Umara purred, and her delight was so strong, I couldn’t help but laugh. I grinned and looked at Kieran, who watched me with an unreadable expression. “Where are we going?”

“What do you want to see?” Kieran asked. “Where have you always wanted to go?”

Talk about a loaded question. Before, the thought of traveling was just too fantastical.

Even my wildest dreams merely involved going two towns over at most since Clara’s health wasn’t good enough to just up and travel.

But now that I thought about it, something did come to mind. And yet, I still said, “I’m not sure.”

Kieran arched a brow. “Liar.”

My hackles rose. “I know my mind better than you, thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” He smirked. “Come on, little thief. We can go anywhere.”

“But we can’t!” I snapped. The fury in my tone surprised me, but I didn’t regret it.

“We can’t go anywhere because the king doesn’t trust me, and neither do you.

And regardless, we’re on a time limit.” Sure, this was a nice gesture, but it was another manipulation in itself. One I wouldn’t fall for.

Kieran pushed. “I don’t know you yet. Not enough to trust you, but I’m your captain, and you’re under my command.

In battle, we hold each other’s lives in our hands.

I trust you to look out for me in the field, and I hope you trust me to look out for you as I do with everyone else.

Tell me where you want to go, Selena, and I’ll take you there. ”

An unbearable pressure built in my chest. “It doesn’t matter because it’s too far away, and even if we go there, we’ll have to rush. I want to enjoy it when I go. I don’t want the trip to be tainted.”

There was no judgment in his eyes, only understanding. “Where is it?” His tone was so soft. It made it hard to maintain my anger.

My lips felt impossibly dry. “The ocean. I don’t care which. That’s what I want to see.”

He inclined his head, and very obviously counted the flight times in his head.

Even with our dragons, it’d take a whole day to reach the ocean.

Kieran confirmed what I’d already calculated.

“You’re right. Even if we got permission, Luther would only give us enough time to go there and immediately return.

The flight alone would be hell.” His eyes met mine.

“Let me take you somewhere else, somewhere I think you’d really enjoy.

And someday, I’ll take you on the trip you deserve. ”

My heart squeezed. “Is that a promise?”

“It’s a vow.”

I searched his face for any sign of a lie. “Okay. Don’t let me down.” It felt strange to put this sort of trust in Kieran. Even if the vow didn’t hold much weight, it meant something to me. My stomach fluttered. If he kept his promise and remembered… it’d go a long way.

“I won’t.”

I smiled. “What happens if I don’t like the place you’re bringing me to?”

“Then tomorrow you’ll only have to do a half day of training.”

I shot him an incredulous look. “Not even a full day off?”

“I value your life too much to let you slack off.”

The prick. He made it sound like his obsessive need to train was admirable. “Okay. You’re on.”

We continued on with the flight. Despite my reservations, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the break. Not that I’d let Kieran know, but the castle was getting to me. Even trying to keep my goals in mind—it was just a lot of change all at once.

“We’re coming up to the spot.” Kieran grinned, an almost childish look on his face.

“Where are we even at?” From the thick forestry, I’d guess we were somewhere in Caddel Province.

“Theas. Specifically, Theas Forest.” His grin widened. “Over here.” I followed his lead as Hesperos dipped down. The closer we got to the ground, I realized just why he took me here.

“Holy shit!” Kieran had us land in a small clearing.

I looked around at the gigantic trees surrounding us.

I’d never seen such tall trees before. They were almost twenty times as tall as the royal castle.

And the thickness—they were easily the width of twenty people standing in a line.

“I didn’t know trees could be this big!”