Page 7 of A Kingdom of Fire and Fury (House of Embers #1)

The powerful beats of Thaleia’s wings echoed around the cave, and the wind rattled the leather material.

Her scales dug into my side, but I was too terrified to care.

I couldn’t process whatever the fuck Nimue said, too busy shoving down the urge not to claw my way out of this damn bag. The Mother protect me.

My teeth chattered, and my eyes burned. How did Nimue stand this? How did anyone enjoy this? How insane did you have to be to want to ride a dragon? Were they not scared of falling to their death?

It felt like an eternity before Thaleia landed, and the descent was somehow even more terrifying. It was a relief when Nimue opened the bag and loosened the straps enough for me to wiggle out.

“Glad you didn’t throw up. That would’ve been awful for the both of us.” Nimue slid down Thaleia’s back and offered me a hand. Grudgingly, I took it, but only because my legs felt like a fawn’s.

Nimue reached into the side satchel attached to the saddle and tossed a cloak at me. “We don’t need people recognizing you. Keep your hood up. And remember, if you try to run, Thaleia will torch you.” She also put on a cloak, making sure to hide her pointed ears.

Thaleia made a point to huff smoke in my face. I almost shit myself then and there. “Understood.” I squared my shoulders once I flipped the hood over my face. I couldn’t allow myself to forget—this woman wasn’t my friend. First and foremost, she was loyal to the king.

Nimue led us to a more familiar area of town—right in the heart of the underbelly.

No one spared either of us a glance. I blinked in surprise when we stood in front of one of the many brothels.

Though surprisingly, the lantern outside was off—meaning that it was closed for the night.

This was where the king was keeping my sister? In a godsdamn brothel of all places.

An older woman opened the door, clearly the madame of the establishment. Her eyes widened when Nimue pulled back her hood. “Come inside,” she said in a flat tone.

Nimue reached into her boot, pulled out a coin purse and offered the purse to her. “We’re here to see Wes.”

I scanned the empty room, completely devoid of life. So, it’s true. My heart pounded. She’s here.

The madame daintily grabbed the purse. “He’s upstairs. Last door to the right. Don’t cause a scene.”

Nimue hummed in agreement, and then we crept up the stairs. It took everything I had not to run down the hall. When we reached the door, Nimue knocked once, then three times in rapid succession, and then one more knock.

The door flung open. A man in his late twenties or early thirties opened the door. A soldier, that much was obvious from his shorn black hair, thick frame, dark skin, and serious brown eyes. His jaw flexed when he saw me. “What the hell is she doing here? Are you trying to get us all killed?”

Nimue folded her arms. “Don’t be so dramatic. She's here to say goodbye.”

“King Luther sent a raven that she’s not to see her sister until she’s proven herself.” He didn’t spare me another glance.

“Come on, Wes. Don’t be an asshole. You know she’s gonna fight with us. This’ll give her extra motivation.”

“Or deter it.”

My anger sparked. “It won’t. But if I find out the king’s just using me, then the leverage won’t work. Let me see her. Afterward, if you want me to kneel before the king or whatever, I will. But I need to see her first. I need to know she’s okay.”

Nimue cocked a brow. “See? Are you telling me you’re willing to be the reason an innocent girl doesn’t get to say goodbye to her big sister? We both know there’s no guarantees for that first flight.”

I fought to control the muscles on my face. The urge to question that tidbit of information rose to the surface, but I stamped it down. Clara took priority.

Wes studied my face before exhaling. “As long as her hands are bound.”

“We’re on the second floor,” Nimue protested. “And I’m betting you picked a room with a small window.”

“I’m not taking any chances. She gets the cuffs, or she doesn’t see her sister today.” He looked at me. “Does that work for you?”

It sure as fuck doesn’t. “Not my hands.”

He huffed a laugh. “You’re not in a position to negotiate.”

I squared my shoulders. “Binding my legs is better for you anyways. I can still run with my hands tied. And if my hands are bound, I can’t say goodbye properly. Please.” I forced the last word out.

Wes flexed his jaw. “Fine. I’ll be right back.” He slammed the door in our faces.

Nimue bumped our shoulders together. “Nice. That went faster than I expected. Wes is a softie. Easy to manipulate.”

“I heard that,” said his muffled voice from the other side .

“You were supposed to.” Nimue snickered.

I didn’t smile. How could I? “Is this the man who’ll stay with my sister?”

The smile fell from her face. “Yes. I know you don’t want to hear it, but she’s in good hands. There’s no one else I’d choose if I had to pick a soldier.”

Wes was stone-faced as he bound my ankles together in a series of thick robes that barely allowed me to shuffle forward. And then finally, finally, he opened the door and stepped aside. I scanned the room, the tightness in my chest easing when I spotted her.

Clara sat on the bed. Her hair, usually sleek and well-maintained, was a mess.

Her dull eyes went to mine. I rushed to her, searching for a bruise, for any signs of mistreatment.

I wasn’t surprised by how pale her light brown skin was.

She took to sickness like a fish to water.

At least now she’d have medicines to help her.

And from the series of potions atop the bedstand, she was being provided them.

The best thing, I realized, was that there was no Traitor’s Brand on her left hand—a circle depicting a snake eating its own tail. Relief rushed my lungs.

Clara exhaled and jumped to her feet, meeting me halfway to throw her arms around me in a bone crushing hug—with strength I didn’t think she was capable of. “You idiot,” she sobbed into my chest. “I told you not to do it. I told you not to take the job.”

My stomach flipped. Somehow, that was worse. There was no real heat to her tone, just hurt and devastation. Even with Brynn for company, it was just us two against the world. And now she was a hostage. Because of me.

I squeezed her, cradling her in my arms before running my hand along her braid. “I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.” My hands shook as I cupped her face. The tears brimming in her eyes sent another wave of sorrow through me. “You need to be brave for me. As long as you listen to them, you’ll be okay.”

“But what about you?” My clever little sister with a heart too big for her body.

I couldn’t lie to her, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to tell her how much shit I was in. “It’s the same for me. They want me to be a part of the dragonsguard, you know? And when I do a good job, I can see you more. It’s… it’s an opportunity.” And the only option.

Her lips formed a tight line, and she glanced over my shoulder where our guards stood. “Don’t be rash. I’ll send you letters every day.” Her hands trembled as she stepped back, but she relaxed her tense muscles. “I’ll be okay. You don’t have to worry about me.”

“You should have the necklace back.” But Clara stopped me when I went to take it off.

“Keep it.” Her lips quirked in a humorless smile. “The Mother knows you need all the protection you can get.”

“But Clara—”

“ Keep it. ” I blinked at the steel in her voice. Clara raised her chin. “We can’t change what happened. I want you to keep it. We’ll both be okay as long as you listen. Can you do that? ”

I swallowed. It’s like the roles have reversed.

She’d always been worried, but now it was like I was a scorned child.

It’s not just my life on the line. I uprooted her whole world.

It’s only fair she’s worried. “I’ll write too, but I doubt they’ll be delivered right away.

” I smoothed out her hair. “I know how to fall in line, Clara. You don’t have to worry.

It’s a good opportunity for you. The king said he’ll treat you like a dragonsguard family member.

So you’ll get the best education around, and a nice place to stay.

It’ll be better.” Maybe if I said it long enough, I’d believe it.

Clara glanced away. “Yeah. Better.”

She might as well have stomped on my heart. I deserve this. It’s my fault. I pulled her into another tight hug. “I’ll save you, I promise.”

Clara’s tears soaked through my shirt. “Don’t. It’s better this way.”