Page 130 of Fall of Ruin and Wrath

Smacking my hands over my face, I dragged them down, rubbing at the skin. Why was I even lying in his bed, thinking about this? There were far more important things I needed to be focused on. Claude’s knowledge of how my abilities worked, because I doubted he had no recollection of speaking that. His relation to the Commander of the Iron Knights. The impending siege.

Thorne was the least of my worries.

But he was the prettiest of my worries.

“Gods,” I groaned, throwing the sheet off. I sat up and scooted to the edge of the bed, looking for my gown. Not spotting it on the floor, I rose and turned, finding the gown folded on the chest, where his swords had lain the night before. A black robe lay across the foot of the bed. He must’ve left that there for me.

That strange and downright silly swelling motion returned to my chest as I donned the robe. It was . . . thoughtful of him.

I’ll return to you soon.

I glanced around the quarters. He . . . Thorne had said he wanted me with him until he left to escort his armies. Did he expect me to wait around for him all day, in his chambers?

That was not going to happen.

Tugging my hair out from the robe, I picked up my gown. I cradled it to my chest and hurried toward the door, finding it locked. When I turned the latch and opened the door, I nearly plowed straight into Grady.

“Oh my gods.” Gasping, I stumbled back.

Grady caught my arm, steadying me. “Sorry,” he grunted. “I was trying to pick the lock— been at it for a half of an hour. He must’ve done something to it to prevent it from unlocking from the outside.” His dark gaze swept over my face, and then he seemed to see what I was wearing and holding. “Are you all right?”

“Yes. Of course.” I stepped around him, closing the door behind me. “Why were you trying to pick the lock?”

“Really?” His brows flew up.

“Really.” I started down the hall.

He stared at me for a moment. “Do you even know what time it is? It’s almost noon.”

Surprise flickered through me. “Really? I never— ”

“You never sleep this late,” he finished for me. “I looked everywhere for you this morning, Lis. Your chambers, the gardens— I ran into Naomi, who was also looking for you,” he said when he saw the look I gave him. “She told me about this arrangement.”

Ugh.

I held the gown tighter. “She shouldn’t have done that.”

“Because you weren’t planning to?”

“No, because she probably had to deal with you overreacting and freaking out,” I said, quieting as we passed one of the staff carrying a load of towels. “And I was going to tell you.”

“When?”

“This morning.” I tucked a strand of hair back.

His jaw was working overtime. “It goes without saying— ”

“You’re not happy with this arrangement.”

“And neither are you, according to Naomi,” he shot back.

My lips pursed, but I stamped down on my annoyance. Naomi was likely just worried, and I’d clearly given her good reason to be. “I wasn’t exactly thrilled with the arrangement,” I began. “But Thorne and I talked it out, and I’m okay with it.”

Grady had stopped walking. “Thorne?”

“Yes?” I glanced back at him. “That’s his name.”

“And since when are you on a first-name basis with him?” he demanded.