Curse of Stolen Flame (Firebird, #1)

CHAPTER 10

“What are you doing here?” The words flew out of Kindra’s mouth before she could stop them.

Jasper only smirked, leaning casually against the wall, hands in his pockets. He was dressed in casual finery: brown pants with a loose white shirt, the top few buttons left undone.

Kindra definitely did not take note of that.

His eyes traveled over her slowly, and she fought against the urge to recoil from his stare.

“I’m here to walk you back to your quarters,” he finally said.

“Where’s Cerulle?” she demanded.

“Busy.”

“Bullshit.”

He chuckled. “Fine. I told her to let me be your escort.”

“Why.”

His eyebrows raised at her tone. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were getting used to your new royal authority rather quickly.” His gray eyes danced in the low light provided by the fire lamps along the walls.

Kindra’s cheeks heated, and she finally lurched into motion, skirting around him. “I’m not getting used to anything.”

“Of course not,” Jasper replied, easily falling into step beside her. Kindra huffed angrily, and he chuckled again. “You’ve always been like this.”

“Been like what?” She tried to pick up her pace, but she realized as they turned a corner that she had no idea how to get back to her rooms, a problem made worse now that it was night and the halls were darker, softly lit only by the sconces .

“Powerful,” he stated simply. Before Kindra had time to even register that he’d complimented her, he added, “And lost, it seems. Allow me.” Shooting her a victorious smirk, he began to guide them back to her rooms.

“Did you enjoy your evening with Helena and Emeline?” he asked as they walked, dipping his head to the guards patrolling the corridors. A few remained near them: probably members of Jasper’s personal guard.

“Yes, I did.” Kindra was still pleasantly surprised by the turn her evening had taken. “They’re very kind.”

“I told you you’d find them to your liking.”

She gritted her teeth.

“I’m sorry,” Jasper apologized quickly, sensing her irritation, “I forgot you don’t like that.”

“Maybe start remembering,” she snapped, and several guards’ heads swiveled towards them. “And tell your guards to relax while you’re at it. I’m not a feral animal, for gods’ sake.” A bit of hurt crept into her voice, and her face flushed again.

To her surprise, Jasper did just that, gesturing for them to be given some space. “I’m sorry,” he repeated. “I really seem to have a knack for upsetting you, don’t I?”

Kindra only grunted in response, too busy getting control over her emotions to speak.

Gently, he placed a hand on her elbow, bringing them to a halt. “I didn’t know that you felt like you were being treated as though you’re some untamed beast, Kindra.” His eyes were wide and earnest. He was being honest. “Tell me, what can I do?”

“There is nothing you can do.” She averted her gaze to the floor, trying to turn away and continue walking, but he kept his hold on her, forcing her to remain still.

“There must be.” His voice was soft. Desperate, even.

She shrugged herself free of his grip. “I don’t know if there is, Jasper. I’ve been looked at like that my whole life.”

“You deserve—”

“Better? Yeah, I’ve gathered that you feel that way.” Kindra started to walk again, and he had no choice but to walk with her.

“I feel that way because it’s true. Your magic is beautiful. Something to be marveled, not feared. ”

“My magic destroys.” She was being contrary at this point, she knew that. She would have normally been the first to acknowledge the beauty of her fire. It made her skin itch, the way she was talking. This whole conversation made her skin itch. It was too intimate, too personal. She sped her pace up, praying at some point the doors to her chambers would appear and she could hide herself behind them.

“Your magic protects,” Jasper countered, matching her stride for stride. And gods, she hated how nice it felt, to hear somebody else say those words and mean them. She’d spent years repeating them to herself after skirmishes and ambushes, when she’d stumble home with the scent of charred flesh stinging in her nose.

She needed this conversation to be over.

“How far are we from my room?” She tried to keep her voice light and casual.

“Just around the corner. Tired?”

Kindra nodded, relieved that she’d maneuvered them into safer territory. “I still haven’t recovered from the travel here. I think I’ll be fine after a good night’s sleep, though.” Unintentionally, she yawned.

“I’m sure you will. You’ll need your energy for tomorrow. You’ll be formally introduced to my family and the court.”

She sucked in a breath. “I know.”

“Are you scared?”

“No.” She spoke too quickly, and though she knew Jasper caught onto the lie immediately, he didn’t call her out on it.

“I’m scared,” he confessed softly.

She snorted. “Why?” They made a turn and she saw the doors to her chambers ahead of them. Thank the gods. “I can handle it.”

They reached her doors, and the two guards posted outside moved to open them.

“Oh, I don’t doubt that,” Jasper said as they came to a halt. His voice lowered to a near whisper, too quiet for the guards to hear. “I’m afraid they won’t know how to handle you , Kindra. And my family isn’t exactly rational when faced with something they don’t know how to control.”

Before she could reply, he reached for her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it lightly. Kindra went still as a statue at the brush of his mouth against her skin .

“Sleep well,” he murmured as he pulled away, dropping her hand. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He was gone before she could muster up a reply, still processing the feel of his lips.

Still thinking about the weight of his words, and the warning behind them.