Page 96 of I Dream of Dragons

I can’t tell, though the coincidence, as Jai said, is strange. He’s the one who knows these two men, has known them for a long time, and I thought he trusted them. Arkin’s hurt looks genuine.

Like Phaethon’s?

I shush the inner voice and wrap my arms around myself more securely.

“Just so you know, I was guarding the door while you two slept,” Arkin grinds out. “Had your back yet again. And I called for breakfast for you.”

He waves at someone, and a manservant with a covered tray enters my room. He deposits the tray on one of the low tables and uncovers it. Delicious aromas float over to me.

My stomach growls as the manservant bows and leaves the room.

Embarrassing.

Honestly, when was the last time I ate?

“See?” Arkin glares. “I’m looking out for you. Your lady would have perished of hunger, had I not taken measures.”

“Yeah, because calling for breakfast is more important than having my back when the king corners me,” I mutter.

Arkin takes two steps toward me. “I didn’t notice you being too discomfited that night in the king’s presence,” he snarls. “You let him touch your face, take your hand and put his mark on you willingly.”

I jerk back. “Iwasdiscomfited. I was trying to get out of there. And what was that I heard, Tru saying that Jai needs to be handled?”

His lips peel back. “You shut your mouth, or?—”

Jai grabs him, hauls him away. “Don’t you fucking threaten her. Ever!”

“Fuck off, Jai. Take your fucking hands off me.” He shoves at Jai. “I ask you again: how are you placing a girl you barely know over us?”

“She’s not just a girl.”

Arkin gives a mirthless laugh. “Fine. I see where this is going. If you ever need me again, Jai, you can shove it up your ass. I was trying to keep her out of our plans, plans we made together,plans to change the world, plans that may be considered high treason, and you go and fuck the king’s new fiancée. I won’t ask if you’re insane, but I will ask one last time: are you choosing her over us?”

Oh, holy wights.This isn’t good.

“Jai,” I say, “wait…”

“I won’t choose,” Jai says. “I’ll never choose anyone over her.”

Right, I think and then his words sink in.What did he just say?

My mouth opens. Flaps a few times. I have no words.

Arkin doesn’t seem to have any, either. With one last dark look at Jai, he marches out of the room, leaving the door wide open.

“Jai,” I whisper, staring at the open door, my arms wrapped around me over my borrowed jacket. “He’s right. You can’t place me over your friends. You barely know me?—”

“I know you better than the palm of my hand,” he says softly. “Better than I know my own heart. Better than I know myself.”

I turn around to face him. I watch his shadowed eyes.

“That night…” He grimaces. “You left to answer the king’s summons and I spent the evening fighting Phaethon for control over my body. I cut myself, drained blood. The king was supposed to bite me but he was with you. He was with you and I had no strength.”

“That’s why Phaethon was so strong during the trial,” I whisper, understanding dawning.

“What did the king tell you? How did he convince you to wear his mark?”

“He told me that he’s the boy I once knew. The Jackal.”