Page 17 of Court of Secrets and Flames (Dragons of Tirene #2)

Chapter Seventeen

Knox stands tall in the threshold, wild-eyed and panting. “What happened?”

“You didn’t have?—”

Another spasm cuts me off, a vice forcing the breath from my lungs.

My cry is involuntary, a sound of raw vulnerability I’d never want him to witness. Before, I thought these aches were related to hard physical training at Flighthaven. If that’s true, though, why is the pain suddenly so much worse?

“Are you hurt?” His hand rests on his sword hilt as his gaze sweeps across my room. “Is someone here?”

“No, no. I’m…” Words fail me as I swipe at my face with the bedclothes, desperate to appear stronger than I feel. “It’s…”

His eyes stop moving, then widen as he takes in the bed.

I follow his gaze to the scorch marks branding my sheets. A testament to turmoil even sleep can’t escape. I’m suddenly thankful for this new room’s woolen covers, even if they were a bit too heavy for such a warm night.

“Did you lose control of your fire in your sleep?” His posture softens, and his tone shifts from alarm to something softer, more intimate.

“Not…exactly. I had a dream. It seemed so real.” As I try to shift, another gripping wave of pain seizes me. “Oh gods.”

He leans over, brushing his knuckles against my cheek. “Don’t move. Just tell me what hurts.”

“My back. I’m sure it will pass.”

I attempt to shrug off his worry. Big mistake. The motion spikes me with a searing pain that steals my breath and anchors me to the bed. Flashes of the buried archives, the crushing darkness, interlace with the present agony.

“Wait here.” Without any explanation, he veers toward the bathing chamber.

Seconds pass without another spasm, and I muster another attempt to rise. The pain lashes out, fierce as dragonfire.

It robs me of movement. Of air.

And then comes the symphony of rushing water.

The royal prince of Tirene is drawing me a bath.

Despite all my reservations, my chest warms. How can this man be so presumptuous yet so…caring?

The way he oscillates between infuriating and sweet maddens me.

“Knox?” My voice is barely audible over the din of filling water.

Moments later, he returns. “Don’t get up. I’m going to carry you to the bathing chamber. That all right?”

At my nod, he lifts me with a gentleness that contradicts his warrior’s strength, and I am lost for words, caught between pain and the surprising tenderness of his touch.

He seats me on the rim of the tub.

“Thank you. I can manage now.”

“I know you can.” The look he gives me tells me he’s not so convinced. “But let me take care of you.”

“I’m sure you have things to?—”

“Lark.” He covers the hands I’ve folded together in my lap with his. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. Please. Allow me to help you.” He silences my protest by putting a finger over my lips. “I promise to behave.”

If I weren’t in so much agony, I’d spout off a less than appropriate retort. But in my current state, I can only manage to nod.

The nightgown, an intricate torment of lace and expectation, scratches against my skin one last time before he pulls the ribbon at my neck that holds it closed. The fabric slides down my shoulders and pools in my lap, baring my breasts.

My breath catches, not from the hurt, but from the unexpected intimacy. My face heats, but Knox keeps his eyes fixed firmly above my neck.

“The water is tepid.” He gestures to the tub. “Are you able to use your fire, or will that cause you discomfort?”

“I can do that.”

I focus on drawing the warmth from within, channeling it through my hands and into the water. Flames lick my palms, causing the water to swirl from the added heat. I marvel at the simplicity, the utility of it. Cool water coils around my fingers and heats with a surge of magic.

Steam rises from the water in delicate tendrils. As I lean forward, my nightgown slips lower, over my hips, and hangs on the edge of the bath.

It’s not like he hasn’t seen it all before.

Knox’s boots hit the floor with two solid thumps, startling me. Before I can chastise him for the presumptuous act, he’s naked from the waist up and standing in the water. His arms envelop me once more, lifting me out of my loose clothing with an ease that clenches my heart.

My hands immediately go to his chest, to hold on or to push him away, I’m not sure. Either way, I’m peering into his brown eyes as he sinks me low into the comforting, liquid embrace.

Heat cocoons me and seeps into aching muscles. A moan of sheer relief escapes me as my eyes drift shut. My back twitches, and the knot of tension eases.

The water ripples as Knox steps out of the tub, leaving me braced against the edge. He doesn’t travel far. Only to a row of jars set on a table nearby. Opening one after another, he takes small sniffs until he finds an aroma that satisfies him.

Turning back, he keeps his eyes averted as he pours a fragrant oil into the water. The soothing minty scent permeates the space and relaxation seeps deep into my bones.

“Don’t fall asleep.” His words burst the sleepy haze in my head.

“Mmm. I’ll try not to.” The steaming water soothes the pain and calms my muscles but can’t eliminate my anxiety. “What do you think’s wrong with me? Did I contract some kind of bone wasting disease or something?”

“Is this the first time you’ve gotten this pain, or has it happened before?”

I drag my fingers through the water. “It’s happened before, but this time was by far the worst.”

“Do you remember when the pains started?”

His questions freak me out. “They started while I was at Flighthaven. Why?” I inhale a deep breath and lift my chin. “If it’s something bad, just tell me. I can handle it.”

“By any chance, did the pain begin after you stopped taking your magic suppressants?”

I gasp and whirl, sloshing water against the sides of the tub. “Yes! How did you know? If you’re hiding something from me—” My eyes narrow suspiciously on his shaking chest. “Are you laughing at me? Because this isn’t funny. I swear, if you’re finding humor in my imminent death, I’ll use the last of my dying strength to take you with me when I go.”

A snicker escapes his mouth, and so help me gods, I’m about this close to saying screw it and offing his laughing ass now. My expression must scream rage because he throws his palms in the air to ward off an attack.

“I’m sorry. I just never knew you had such a melodramatic side.” When I growl and grab for his hair, he blocks me with his forearm and shakes his head. “If I’m correct, and I’m almost positive I am, there’s absolutely nothing to worry about.”

“So, what, my back spontaneously bursting into agonizing bouts of pain is normal?”

His eyes gentle. “It can be…if your wings are coming in.”

“Wh—what? That…that isn’t possible.”

Except, it totally is. In fact the answer is so obvious, I can’t believe it never occurred to me. Tirenese people are winged. Therefore, if my biological parents hail from Tirene, then I should have wings too.

“I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”

Knox appears unperturbed. Meanwhile, I’m flipping the hells out. “How long will they take to show up? A day? A week? A year? Will it hurt a bunch more? What color will they be?”

“Since Tirenese get their wings as children, there’s no telling how it will work for you, or whether or not the magic suppressant will impact your wing reveal even after you stop taking it. I know you can handle it though.”

His quiet faith in me eases my worries, and time slips by as we settle into easy conversation. We’re still chatting and chuckling long after the water cools.

Knox dips a finger into the tub. “It’s freezing. Why didn’t you say something?”

I shrug, grateful the gesture no longer causes pain. “Didn’t really notice.”

Not exactly true, but for the first time since my arrival in Tirene, we’ve actually enjoyed each other’s company. No fighting. No pretending. No frenzied sexual encounters.

It’s been…peaceful.

After I dry off and don a clean gown, I turn to him.

“Thank you for helping me.”

“There’s no need to thank me. I’m just glad you’re feeling better.” He leads me back to my bedroom and pulls down the cover.

I snuggle under the blankets, chilled after lying in a cold bath, and already missing Knox even though he’s standing beside the bed. I want to ask him not to leave. To stay with me and hold me until I fall asleep. But that wouldn’t be wise. If the maids caught him in my bed and Jasper got word…

I shudder at the thought. “So am I.”

“Get some rest, Lark.” He presses a soft kiss to my temple and tugs the cover a little higher, until it touches my chin. “Sleep well.”

Then without another word, he exits my chamber, leaving my heart yearning once more for things I know aren’t good for me.