Page 82 of Winds of Darkness

Briar arched a brow.

“I mean, itcanbe true, but it seems unlikely,” she amended, her eyes darting from him to the clock on a shelf. “Oh.”

His smile fell then, and he moved deeper into the space, coming to a stop before her. He took her shoulders, gently running his palms down the length of her arms and back up again. “I am told you have not eaten today. Why did you not summon me if the winds have been—”

“It hasn’t been the winds,” she interrupted with a soft sigh, pulling from his touch and lowering back to the sofa.

He followed, settling beside her with their thighs pressing together as he reached to tuck her hair behind her ear. “Then what is keeping you from me, my dear?”

Her eyes fluttered closed at his touch, and he gave her a moment to breathe deeply. “Talwyn grows more insistent about this weapon with each passing day.”

“She is pressuring you on this?” he demanded, working to keep his voice even. “The Oracle toldherof the weapon. Not you, Ashtine. It is ultimately her responsibility.”

“Yes, but I am her Third, and more importantly, I am her friend. I wish to be of aid to her. She is suffering more than she lets on.”

“I am not dismissing your noble intentions,” he said gently. “But just like with the winds, Talwyn’s claims on your time cannot overtake your own wellbeing. You need to eat. And rest. And not miss important meetings.”

She huffed a laugh at that, turning to him. “I apologize I lost track of the hours.”

“No need,” he replied. “We will make the most of what time we have left tonight. Renly is sending food.”

As if in summoning, there was a knock before the door opened and Sion appeared, a tray in hand. Relief flashed across his face when his gaze fell on his princess, and he turned to swap the tray with the old one.

“You are well, Ashtine?” he asked when he faced them once more.

“We are. Thank you, Sion,” she replied with a nod.

The male’s gaze slid to Briar, and he gave him a slight nod. Sion left, and Briar stood to retrieve the plates of food. Small portions of roasted lamb and potatoes, bread and honey-glazed carrots. He wasn’t remotely hungry, but he picked at his food anyway as Ashtine ate, telling him of her research in between bites. When her food was nearly gone, he slid more of his onto her dish. He was sure she knew, but she said nothing.

When both plates were nearly emptied and set back on the tray, Ashtine settled into his side, her feet tucked under her. A comfortable silence fell between them while Briar dragged his fingertips up and down her arm.

He hummed softly. “If Sorin weren’t in such a dark place right now, I would tell him of our relationship so I could take you to the hot springs within the Fiera Mountains.”

She tilted her face up to him. “There are hot springs there?”

He nodded. “They are divine. One of the few things I like more about the Fire Court. One would think the Water Court would have hot springs.”

“There are no mountains in the Water Court,” she reasoned. “And they are the Fire Court. It does make sense that they would have them.”

He grunted his disagreement.

“I wonder if they are similar to the ones within the cliffs,” she mused.

Briar stilled. “What?”

Her brow creased. “I do not know how to make that statement clearer.”

He swallowed his huff of laughter. “I did not know there were hot springs within the Shira Cliffs.”

She nodded. “They are quite lovely.”

“And why haven’t we visited them?”

Her lips turned downward. “It simply never occurred to me.”

He gently extracted her, getting to his feet and reaching for her hand. “Then let’s go.”

“Now?” she questioned, but letting him pull her up anyway.