Curse of Stolen Flame (Firebird, #1)

CHAPTER 46

She was loathed to leave her bed the next morning.

Partly because she was exhausted, having spent much of the night tangled up with Jasper instead of sleeping, but also because she didn’t want to come back to reality.

It was so easy to forget about the pressure, the expectations, when they were busy doing such delicious things to each other.

But they couldn’t lock themselves in her room all day, though Jasper had suggested it after they awoke, his hands and mouth roaming over her body. They had duties to attend to—Jasper had a day full of meetings with his father and the Council, and Kindra had her morning training, followed by a much more daunting task:

Getting her hands on Queen Scalya’s journals.

So she’d reluctantly batted him away, rolling out of his grasp and sauntering into the bathing room.

“You have one minute to make yourself presentable before I call for Sala and Cerulle to bring breakfast,” she’d threatened. When she’d reemerged, dressed in her nerushmyr for training, Jasper was mercifully clothed, already seated at the dining table.

His eyes devoured her as she approached. “Have I ever told you just how delectable you look when you’re dressed like that?”

She rolled her eyes, but heat coursed through her at the words. “You’re going to be insufferable now, aren’t you?”

Jasper grinned. “If by insufferable you mean showering you with twice as many compliments as usual, then of course.”

Kindra sat down next to him and couldn’t fight the blush that bloomed on her cheeks. “Well, that’s fine, I suppose. ”

“Glad to hear it.” He reached over and took her hand in his, then pressed a kiss to the back of it. Then her palm. Then her wrist.

She yanked her hand away. “Do not start,” she hissed, but she was smiling.

“Whatever could you mean?” He stared at her with wide, innocent eyes, the corners of his mouth twitching in a barely suppressed smirk.

There was a knock at the door, and Sala and Cerulle entered, carrying breakfast. Kindra’s stomach rumbled. The night’s activities had left her famished. Jasper seemed to feel the same, eyeing the food hungrily.

They ate in silence, too focused on their food to speak. Kindra was grateful for it—without the distraction of Jasper’s flirtations, she could actually think about her day.

“So, you plan to go to the library today?” Jasper broke the silence.

She nodded. “Yes, this afternoon. Are you sure they’ll let me access the records?”

He hesitated, which wasn’t reassuring. “Honestly, I’m not sure. I’ve never been permitted access, at least, and I don’t know if my siblings have, either. But I also don’t think any of them have ever asked—I’m the history buff, after all. But surely, considering your status you should be able to convince them.” He shrugged. “Don’t be afraid to throw your weight around a little bit, Kindra.”

She grimaced. “I don’t like that idea very much.”

He stared at her, suddenly very serious. “My father has read those accounts backwards and forwards, I can tell you that much. If he believes you are God-blessed, then I guarantee he’s read something that supports that theory. You need to know what that is. If only so you can know for sure that you’re not what he thinks you are.” He paused. “Or, so you can find out that you actually—”

“I’m not,” she bit out, but she didn’t feel entirely certain of that claim. Something about it all nagged at her.

Jasper studied her, then shrugged again. “It would still be worthwhile.”

“I know,” she agreed quietly, and they returned to their food.

When Jasper left to prepare for his meetings, he gave her a long, searing kiss that contained a hundred promises for later.

But even that was not enough to quiet the worries that now swirled inside her head.

Surprisingly, Tess showed herself at training that day, and the women sparred for the first time in weeks. Though their conversation was still lukewarm at best, at least the other Firefury wasn’t icing Kindra out anymore. Whatever Tess’s motives were for spending time with her again, Kindra was glad to have Tess back with her in the ring. She’d missed the woman’s blunt criticism and helpful suggestions about her wielding.

“You danced with the king at the Solstice Ball,” Tess remarked as they took a water break.

Kindra nodded. “He’s quite the dancer.”

Tess hummed. “Any interesting conversation?” Her tone was suspiciously light.

But Kindra decided some honesty would be good for them. So she replied, “Oh, yes. The man thinks I’m God-blessed.”

Tess blinked, clearly surprised that she was telling her. Kindra continued, shaking her head, “It’s crazy, isn’t it? I mean, Scaldor’s never appeared to me once.”

“I don’t think it’s that crazy,” Tess admitted softly, watching her carefully. “Your eyes—”

“I know, I know,” she sighed. “But just because my eyes are more gold these days doesn’t mean I’m God-blessed. It just means I’ve gotten stronger. I mean, your eyes are quite brilliant, too.” It was true. Tess’s orange eyes were striking.

Tess shook her head. “Nobody’s power grows the way yours has in such a short time, Kindra.”

“I’m not God-blessed,” she snapped, exasperated.

“Would it be such a bad thing if you were?” Tess argued. “Think of what you could do with that kind of power.” Her eyes took on a fanatical gleam. “You could transform this kingdom—”

“I do not want to do anything like that,” Kindra hissed. “I already have the unwanted attention of the king on me. I do not need the attention of a god as well.”

A taut silence stretched between them. “Then I hope the king is wrong,” Tess finally said. She cleared her throat awkwardly. “Look, I’m sorry I’ve been distant these last few weeks. There’ve been some things going on that I… well, regardless, I’m glad to spend some time with you. You can tell me anything, you know that, right?”

Kindra regarded her carefully. “You can tell me anything too, Tess.” A plea.

Tess smiled, though it was rather sad. “I know,” she replied, but it didn’t sound like she meant it.