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J arrett was busy removing my latest bandage.

I discreetly scanned the shelves of elixirs and potions.

There were so many. Not only were there endless shelves of flasks and vials, but it was going to be hard to figure out exactly which one held the concoction I sought.

The charcoal color and consistency were what I remembered most about the mixture, but many of the flasks were tinted glass, obscuring the true color of their contents.

I could ask Arden if he had any extra, but I really didn’t know if he could be trusted. My doubts about his loyalty had only been elevated after Claire’s unsolicited warning about hidden allegiances.

The drawing vial was slowly filling in Jarrett’s hand when Jesmine came into the room. She prowled over, eyes fixed on me, a malicious smirk on her lips.

Did she notice me scanning the shelves? My heart surged.

“Nova, my dear,” she started. “It was unexpected to find you conversing with Lord Embers the other day in the library.” Ok, it’s not about the elixir.

“Since it appears you are so eager to make yourself useful to him, I’ve decided to assign you a new task.

” A smile slithered across her face. “You will find Lord Embers’ guest chambers on this very floor, where only my most favored guests are invited.

He, however, does not travel with a servant.

And while he insisted I shouldn’t bother; I cannot have one of my guests neglected.

” Her mocking sympathy heated me with rage.

“So, when you are finished here, I would like for you to go tidy his quarters.”

Tidy his quarters? … There was a threat, I was sure of it—something other than the obvious issue of entering a powerful Ashlora’s room uninvited.

Having no choice but to follow orders, I replied, “Yes, my lady.”

With a cunning smile, Jesmine grabbed the vial of my blood and drifted toward the back of the room.

Jarrett continued wrapping my wound as though nothing had happened.

When Jesmine had almost made it to the far doorway, she spun.

“Oh and Nova, if you happen to come across any of Lord Embers’ writings—specifically about Slips, or perhaps a report of my work—I would love to know his thoughts.

A summary should do.” She flashed a wink. “Jarrett will direct you to his room.”

Jarrett looked up at the mention of his name and nodded without a hint of emotion.

Jesmine disappeared from the lab.

She wanted me to spy. To go into Lord Embers’ room and read through his journals. Surely if I was to gather enough information to give her a summary, I would need to stay in there, sneaking about, for an extended amount of time.

The Ashlora man had been civil enough with me during our last encounter, but I feared the version of him from the dungeon would be unleashed if he found me rifling through his private things.

Showing no concern, Jarrett gestured for me to follow him. His relaxed attitude baffled me, maybe he was less sympathetic than I assumed.

Having not explored much of the third floor, I was careful to note the path we took.

We first turned left, after a marble bust of a man whose significance was unknown to me, then straight, passing two joining hallways, and then right, after a large woven tapestry depicting an owl scrutinizing its viewers.

Jarrett paused in front of a door carved in high relief. The details created a scene of figures dancing in a circle around a bonfire, holding hands.

“These are Lord Embers’ chambers,” Jarrett said. After a brisk nod, he marched away.

I was abandoned.

I took a deep breath. I can do this .

As I knocked on the door, my heart raced. After no answer came, I turned the handle and entered, announcing myself in case my knock had gone unnoticed.

Relief washed over me upon seeing the space was unoccupied.

The room was triple the size of the guest chambers on the second floor, and also well kept.

The furnishings were detailed, of the highest quality.

Plush upholstered burgundy chairs filled a sitting area by the entrance.

They abutted an enormous fireplace framed with a massive stone mantel.

Atop the mantel were several colorful raw crystals.

Entering further, I passed a charming dining table for two, then a writing desk. An extra lounge sat tucked under the window. Near the back, another room was visible through an arched doorway. I could see it housed a canopy bed and large armoire, but I decided not to enter.

The only books I noticed were resting on the writing desk. My heart thumped loudly as I approached. I slid a paper off one book to reveal its title, A Journey at Sea. That didn’t seem like the information Jesmine was after.

My actions were an invasion of privacy, but considering the victim was an Ashlora lord, I didn’t feel too remorseful, only fearful of being caught. I pulled open the top drawer, a place I would store a journal if I had one.

The door latch clicked. I looked up.

Lord Embers assessed me from the entry of the room.

I swallowed my surprise and pushed the half-open drawer closed with my thigh. I prayed the action went unnoticed.

“Nova, is it?” he asked, slowly striding in my direction.

I looked down and gave a respectful bow. “Yes, my lord.” I folded my shaky hands behind me. If he found the idea of me touching his things half as disgusting as the lanky Ashlora I ran into in the guests’ hall, this would end badly for me.

“Why are you in my chambers?”

The charade of my presence came forward. “I was making sure everything was tidy and in order … per Lady Jesmine’s request.”

He huffed a laugh. “Lady Jesmine sent you. Of course. She does like to task you with the most … interesting assignments. I believe I told her I didn’t need a servant during my stay.”

He appeared less than shocked to hear that Jesmine sent me unrequested. Hopefully, that would bode well for me.

Lord Embers’ stride ceased a few feet away, eyes measuring me like prey. I noticed his attention caught momentarily on my bandaged arm. Hopefully, he was recalling the important fact that my life was to be preserved for other purposes and he shouldn’t attack.

I scanned the immediate area for anything to use as a weapon. Coming up short, I retreated a step, keeping the desk between us.

Thinking quickly, I said, “Also, I wanted to thank you … for your apology the other day. I appreciated the sentiment.” Honestly, I thought his apology was just a distraction to corner me in the library, but at that moment, I was desperate to reverse the ploy on him.

The distance to the door seemed miles away.

“Well, in that case,” he looked about the room, then continued, “It looks like my room is in order. Would you like to join me for lunch? They always bring these enormous spreads with more than enough food for two people.” A captivating smile spread across his face; a dancing flame that could spark a deadly inferno.

An invitation to dine with him? Shouldn’t he be angry at my intrusion?

My pulse quickened, I attempted to conceal my confusion. I couldn’t decipher his intentions. A part of me was intrigued by the Ashlora for reasons I didn’t understand, but I had the sense to be cautious. No other Ashlora had been remotely civil with me. Why should he be different?

The idea of decent food sounded appealing, and in that moment, Lord Embers seemed like nothing but charm and good looks, but it was not enough to convince me to stay.

“Thank you, but I should be going. I have many more rooms to clean.” It was the first truthful thing I said since he entered the room.

“Of course.” He nodded, remaining where he stood. “It was nice to see you again, Nova.”

I restrained myself from running for the door and slowly paced my steps.

Making it out of the room, I scurried down the hall, empty-handed.

“He offered me lunch, probably so he could interrogate me—or worse.” I relayed the morning’s incident to Claire. She stared at me, wide eyed.

“I can’t believe she sent you to spy! He could have attacked you again.” She chewed her bottom lip, then added, “Ugh, I hate her. I should have done more than spit in her food last week,” she mumbled.

“Wait—you what?” The corners of my mouth tilted up involuntarily.

Claire couldn’t suppress her grin, either. She was beaming with feigned innocence when she replied, “What? I couldn’t help myself. Maybe it’s not a bold retaliation, but it was a small victory when I was in a dark place.” Her shoulders lifted casually. “Not the first time, either.”

“I’m surprised! I never suspected you to be so ... devious.”

We both let out a laugh.

“Thank you. Now I will be smiling for the rest of the day,” I said. “Although she deserves so much worse. She better hope I’m never sent to help in the kitchen.”

My arm was especially sore the next day.

I knew Jarret tried to keep the cuts shallow and confined to a small section of my forearm, but the entire area was becoming inflamed.

He was right—it was going to scar. I was tempted to switch to the other arm as he had suggested, but I couldn’t imagine risking my right arm as well.

My breath hitched when Jesmine entered the lab. Her presence not only ended my discreet scanning of vials, but it meant I would have to deliver the unfulfilling news of my findings, or lack thereof.

She stopped before me, hands at her hips. “Well, girl, do you have anything worth reporting?”

“No, my lady. Lord Embers came in when I was cleaning .” Although there was no one around but Jarrett, I emphasized the task she had given me to disguise our ruse.

“Well, the next time I present you with an opportunity, I hope you won’t be such a disappointment.” She hovered, glaring at me in a tense silence. It was a struggle not to squirm under her scrutiny. I knew she wanted me to react, but I would not bite.

As she walked out of the lab, I released a lung full of air.

From my time cleaning, I discovered that the guests’ sitting room was my favorite place in the fortress.

Not only was it flooded with natural light, but the entire room was furnished in cerulean and gold.

The ceiling had been painted a sky blue, allowing me to almost forget that I was in the fortress.

Best of all, the Ashlora guests never used it, preferring to study in their private rooms or the library. Visitors didn’t come to the fortress for leisure, they came here with a purpose to study under the Keeper. And all of that suited me fine.

Three tall windows stretched to the ceiling on the outer wall. A built-in bench, upholstered with soft silver-blue silk, ran below them. I didn’t dare sit, but stood behind, taking in the expansive view. A view that stretched over the top of endless trees.

The end of my first moon cycle was near, and I had yet to step outside of the fortress.

Returning to my bare lodgings every night had become suffocating.

Even in prison, they had given us a small garden outside, understanding the human desire to work in the soil.

This room provided some relief—but only a little.

I scanned across the empty yard, searching for any signs of wildlife. In the distance, a burst of orange stood out against the varying depths of green—the fire tree. From this vantage point, its foliage blazed in the afternoon sun.

“Ahem.” I jumped as a throat cleared behind me.

Turning, I found Lord Embers studying me from the open doorway.

“Sorry, I was waiting for you to look up, but it was becoming obvious I might be standing here for some time.” His expression was earnest as he stepped into the room.

I slid away from the window, my eyes darting around, unsure where to look. “I must have been drifting, my lord.”

“Anything of interest?” He advanced a few steps further, peering out of the window I had been gazing from.

“Just the outdoors.” I shrugged.

“I see.” He studied me momentarily, then seemed to remember something. “Would you happen to know where a meeting with the other guests is taking place?”

“Ahh … yes. You were almost there.” I stepped toward the door and pointed. “The hall to your left and two doors down. At least, they were there the last time I checked.”

Lord Embers didn’t shift away from the window. Instead, he remained in place, observing me.

I dropped my arm and studied him back.

Finally, he said, “Thank you, Nova,” and slowly wandered back through the open door.

I didn’t know if it was the sound of my name on his lips, or the way he held my gaze, but my cheeks felt flushed as I watched him leave the room.