Curse of Stolen Flame (Firebird, #1)

CHAPTER 29

It was nearly two days before Kindra could move without wincing. She refused Sala’s help, ordering her to regain her strength. “It’s nothing I can’t handle, seriously,” she’d insisted, but gods, she’d grown to appreciate how the Healer usually melted away any aches she’d felt after training.

Kindra spent her time relaxing, allowing herself to recover naturally, the way she’d had to all those years in Harthwin. She’d grown quite fond of the library and its four-story expanse, the shelves that seemed to go for miles stuffed with thousands upon thousands of books. She loved the wall of stained-glass that stretched from the first floor all the way to the ceiling atop the fourth floor, and the huge, always-burning fireplace and chimney that bisected it; the dozens of cozy reading and research nooks scattered throughout, where courtiers, soldiers, and scholars alike spent hours every day. Jasper could find just about any book in the library with his eyes closed, he’d spent so much time there. In lieu of their afternoon strolls, they’d taken to sitting and reading together in peaceful quiet.

It was really nice.

Jasper, ever the bookworm, was a source of endless recommendations. “What do you like to read?” he asked the first time he joined her as they strolled through the aisles. He was already carrying a small assortment of books. Kindra, however, had yet to find one that caught her eye. The sheer quantity of books at her disposal was overwhelming, and she felt like she had no idea where to even begin.

She shrugged. “I enjoyed some of the classics—Ilfris’s works, Hugayn’s Fallen City , the like.”

“ Fallen City is magnificent,” he commented. “What did you like about it? ”

Kindra recalled the book as best she could. It had been quite some time since she’d read it. “I liked the battles,” she said, “and all the twists and turns.”

“Never boring.”

“Yes,” Kindra agreed.

“In that case…” Jasper furrowed his brow and stopped walking, thinking hard for a moment. “Aha!” He reached for her with his free hand, lacing their fingers together. Kindra’s skin warmed at the contact. He led her through the library, weaving between the shelves with expert ease. They finally came to a stop before a shelf filled with worn, well-loved tomes. Jasper scanned it until his eyes came to rest on the one he was searching for. He untangled his hand from Kindra’s and grabbed it off the shelf, presenting it to her.

“Hugayn wrote several other books,” he informed her. “But none ever became as popular as Fallen City . However, they all have similar elements—lots of battles, unpredictable plots, complex characters…” His cheeks flushed as he held out the book for her to take it. “I think you’d like this one.”

Kindra took the book from him, noting his nervous stare. “ The Bone Curse ,” she read aloud. She smiled. “Consider my interest piqued.”

He sighed in relief. “That’s very good to hear.”

“Thank you for taking the time to find a book for me.” It was endearing how much he loved books and even more endearing that he’d put such thought into a recommendation.

Gods above, Kindra was beginning to like him.

“I must confess, I do love helping people find books to read.” Jasper looked away, a sheepish smile crossing his features. “Although I worry that sometimes I can be a bit overbearing about it. I apologize if I ever seem that way with you.”

“I think it’s nice that you put so much effort into it,” Kindra told him honestly as they began to make their way back to the sitting area. “It shows compassion.”

He reached out to take her hand in his again, but he did not reply. When they returned to the plush sofa where they planned to camp out for the afternoon, they settled into opposite ends. Kindra immediately began reading, The Bone Curse .

As Jasper had predicted, she did like it. It was far darker than Fallen City , but the tenacity of the main character—a Deathcaster—and the brutality of the world was intriguing. She read the first few chapters rather quickly.

When she finally took a break, she looked up to find Jasper watching her, his own book forgotten in his lap. “What?” she asked, squirming under his gaze.

He shook himself out of his stupor, cheeks turning red. “I just…” He looked down at his book, then back up. “I just enjoy this. Spending time with you. That’s all.”

“Oh.” Now it was Kindra’s turn to blush. “I, um, I enjoy spending time with you, too.”

She was shocked by how much she meant it.

Jasper smiled, something between relief and adoration shining in his eyes. For a moment, he seemed to debate saying more but decided against it. “Enjoying the book so far?” he asked instead.

Kindra nodded. “I am.”

“Good, because I already have an idea of what you should read next…”

On the third morning after her match with Ryle, the Windspinner himself appeared in the library. “My Lady,” he said by way of greeting, bowing low.

Kindra looked up from the book she was reading. She’d finished The Bone Curse already and had taken Jasper’s next recommendation eagerly. Jasper wasn’t there; he’d been locked into a meeting that morning. “Hello, Lieutenant Mistron. How are you feeling?”

“I’m perfectly well, thank you. I wanted to see that you were recovered.”

She smiled, flattered. “I’m nearly there. Just taking a few days to rest before returning to the training grounds.”

He nodded stiffly. “Good. That’s good. Um… I wanted to apologize, as well. For—”

“For what? Sparring with me? Not holding back? I wouldn’t have wanted anything less. It would’ve been insulting to me if you’d simply let me win. Like you said after our first time, I had to learn.” She sighed, closing her book. “Was it Jasper? ”

Ryle’s brow furrowed. “Excuse me?”

“Did he come and berate you?” She groaned. “Seriously, I thought I’d gotten through to him about this—”

“It wasn’t His Highness, Lady Kindra.” He focused his gaze on the wall behind her. “It was Guardswoman Orindyn.”

Kindra gaped. “Tess? Really?”

“She was very upset at how injured you were, that’s all. Reminded me of how important you are.”

That again. Ugh. “Well, you don’t have anything to apologize for, Ryle. I am healthy and healed, as are you. So all is forgiven—though there was never anything to forgive in the first place.”

Satisfied with her response, Ryle bowed again and left her to her reading.

A couple hours later, Kindra was pulled from her book once more by a tap on her shoulder. She looked up to see Jasper peering down at her.

Kindra couldn’t fight the small smile that bloomed as she took him in. He was wearing a black velvet jacket, embroidered with red, orange and gold leaves, atop his usual combination of a white shirt, trousers and boots. “What ever could you want?” she asked, faking exasperation.

He beamed down at her. “Close your book, Kindra. We’re going into the city.”