Page 16

Chapter 16

Kaya

T he tavern door bangs open, the haze of desire lifts briefly, and it’s the end of what feels like a dream.

We break away from one another, panting. I imagine my eyes are as wild as his. My hair is tangled and hanging halfway over my face. His protective circle of fire is smoke now, and the chill of the evening dusts my damp skin. An ache low in my belly complains that I’m not shoved against him anymore.

A group of traveling bards and three orc females are leaving the tavern, their voices loud and their laughter louder.

Cyrus takes a step toward me, holding out a hand. “I didn’t mean to …”

“I know. I, I wanted to …” But I can’t find the words. Was this a mistake? Does he think that?

Tully, Argos, Laini, and Rom walk out and stop to stare.

Tully sniffs the air. “I’m going to need to hear the story,” she says to Cyrus.

He faces the clouds, shoulders dropping. “I might have overreacted.”

Laini comes to my side. “Where is Devin?”

I grimace and try to find the right words. “He isn’t the nice guy we thought he was, unfortunately.”

Tully steps toward me, her hand on her wand. “What did he do?”

Rom and Argos look into the night-cloaked town like they might spot Devin.

“He ran off,” I say.

Rom looks from me to Cyrus. “What happened?” His voice is quiet, but danger laces his tone. I know the threat is aimed at Devin, not me.

“Well, I was trying to leave and he grabbed my arm. I kneed him between the legs, then Cyrus showed up.”

Chuckling, Tully gives me a grin. “Good work, friend.” She strides toward Cyrus. “Did you burn him into nothing? Please say yes .” She clasps her hands like a supplicant at the throne.

“I did not.” Cyrus’s voice is far less subtly dangerous than Rom’s; his voice is thunder and lightning right here on the road. Even Tully backs up a step, eyeing him warily. “But only because Kaya’s kind heart stopped me.”

“Thank the Blessed Stones,” Laini says. “You would have been brought to the king’s court.”

I nod. “That’s what I was worried about. Devin is not worth the trouble.”

“I’m so sorry he was a waste of good air, Kaya,” Tully says. “What can we do? How can we help?”

“I just want to go to bed. It’s been a long night. As you all know, this is way past my bedtime.”

“Want to have some tea with me?” Cyrus asks quietly as the others bid us goodnight. “I have something to show you.”

I’m exhausted. I feel exposed. My feelings for Cyrus have been brought out of hiding, and now he’ll discard me like he always does with lovers. There is no way I could recover if we let this relationship bloom and he cut it down afterward. But I’m curious about what he wants to show me.

“What is it?” I ask.

He takes a scroll from his belt. “I went back to the ruins.”

“You didn’t.”

“I did.” He grins at me. “Reckless. Remember? You won’t be able to see anything out here in this dark, though.”

“Let’s go to my place then.”

I unlock my bakery’s front door, and we settle at a front table where I light a few pillar candles. Cyrus spreads the scroll out.

“It’s a map?” I lean in to eye the inked rivers, mountains, roads, and villages. “This is Leafshire Cove,” I say, pointing to a small representation of our hometown.

“Yes.” He pushes his hair back, and I can’t help but appreciate the roll of muscles under his slightly scaled flesh. If only he was hideous. “But you won’t believe how I found it.”

The wood grain of the table presses into my fingers as I grip the edges of the surface. A chill gallops over my back. “The dragon shifter?”

“Aye. The ghost of one. He appeared to me and took me into his library. He wanted me to have this map, but I have no idea why.”

“That’s incredible! Didn’t he want to tell you?”

“He didn’t speak at all. I don’t think he is able.”

I nod, fear scratching at my nerves. “I’m glad you’re all right. You don’t feel sick or anything, right?”

His smile is kind, and I could fall into those sultry eyes of his. “I feel fantastic.” But a sadness cloaks the tone of his voice. He must regret our kiss. “Betilda told me that DeFleurtis is fine, by the way. He hasn’t had any other curse-like symptoms.”

“That’s a relief.”

Cyrus nods and puts a talon on the top half of the map. “The ghost pointed to this spot.”

“I thought that area was deserted and barren.”

“I did too, but perhaps not. There must be something there for me to find.”

“More information?”

“I don’t know. The ghost disappeared right after he led me to the map.”

“When do you leave?” I ask, feeling hollow and forcing a calmly curious expression.

He eases back against the chair and crosses his arms. “Well, I probably shouldn’t go.”

“ Probably shouldn’t is pretty much the beginning and ending of all your days.”

His head falls back as he laughs and I marvel at the rich sound. I can be friends with him. I can do this. If I can stop lusting over him and wishing those taloned hands were on me. I clear my throat and look back at the map.

“Halvard said he can’t go with you to Kingstown, right?” Cyrus asks. “His goats chewed through his fence, and he has to fix the fence before they all figure out they have freedom at their hoof tips.”

Ah, he already knows. “Yes, but I’ll be fine.”

“I’ll go with you. I’ll close up the pub for two days. No problem.”

“No, I can get Tully and Argos to go. I forgot to ask them tonight, but I’ll send Tully a note.”

Cyrus’s gaze brushes up my face and down again. “You’re sure?”

“Yes, thanks anyway, though.”

I start to touch his hand, but I pull away. He pretends not to notice, rolls up the map, and stands. My cheeks flush and I want to disappear.

Why can’t this be easier?

It was just a kiss. Most people kiss plenty. It’s not a huge event in their lives. But for me, Cyrus is only the second person I’ve ever kissed. I’m so inexperienced. Cyrus runs a hand through his hair, his talons clicking lightly against one of his horns. It’s like he doesn’t know what to do now.

“Do you want me to stick around in case that arsehole comes back?” he asks.

“I don’t think he’ll be coming back. You nearly fried him.” I laugh jerkily, feeling incredibly off.

“I can still do that. Just say the word and he’s gone. For good.”

“No, Cyrus. Don’t do that.”

If I touch him, we will start kissing again. I can’t handle his imminent rejection or how he will turn our affair into something casual. There is nothing casual about my feelings for Cyrus—that much is obvious to me now. I will be friends with him, but that is it. My heart isn’t built for casual affairs.

“I won’t,” he says. “But the offer will always be on the table.”

He’s talking about Devin, but could he be hinting that the offer of us having a romantic relationship would always be on the table too? But he would be bored with me in a week and then I’d pine for him for the rest of my life. It’s pathetic, and I’d never admit to it, but it’s the truth.

“Have a good rest of your night, Cyrus. I’ll see you when I get back.”

“All right. Keep me posted on how it goes with Lady Egrettington.”

“I will.” I smile and swallow, wanting more than anything to fall into his arms and feel him kiss me like I’m the only person he ever wants to love.

But I watch him walk out the bakery door with the starlight glinting over his horns and wings, over his big hands and wide-set shoulders. Blowing out the candle, I force myself to stop looking and I head upstairs to bed. I grab Sio and hold him close as he purrs. I have to move forward. I need sleep and to focus on delivering my order tomorrow.