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My smile at Nora’s kindness faded as I thought of my mother—she had been too frail to even open her eyes this morning. The irony that I worked as a healer and my mother was slowly dying from an ailment none of us could identify was not lost on me. Even worse—and maybe more ironic—my abilities had never worked on her. Not even if all she had was a paper cut. Yet another sign that my powers were not that of a common witch, but something far stranger.
“You’re much too alluring. I’d just have to take my chances, and if you killed me”—he leaned in a bit—“well, it would be a good death.”
“Why?” Defensiveness flooded me. “What do you mean, why? He’s my brother. I couldn’t let the Onyx bastards kill him.” His eyes bored into mine. A mix of coldness and curiosity. “Why did you think your life was worth less than his?”
“You’re hurt. Why didn’t you say something?” “It’s nothing, just a bruise.” Anger simmered in his eyes. “Who did this to you?”
“In truth, bird, your cell is the last place I should be, but”—he sighed—“I can’t seem to keep away from you.”
“There are three things I love in this world. Reading, a challenge, and proving others wrong.”
“Firstly, you may call me Kane. King Ravenwood is a little formal from someone I’ve made blush as many times as you.”
“You’re going to have to stop with that term of endearment, bird.”
“Yes,” I admitted. “We were almost friends, weren’t we?” “Mhm,” he murmured. “Friends.” “Why did you come back to my cell that night, hiding your identity?” His voice took on a razor’s edge. “Maybe I wanted to see if you were still planning to run.” “If you had wanted me not to, you could have kept me better guarded,” I snipped. “Right. How easy it is to keep someone who is deathly afraid of being confined from escaping.”
“I had to get the amulet,” she said. “I couldn’t fail.” She turned to face me, eyes grave. “Being good at things, knowledgeable about everything. I don’t know. It’s all I’m worth, I think.”
“Smells nice.” He wandered closer but kept a respectful distance. I wasn’t sure if I appreciated that or hated it more than anything. “The salts are scented with white lilies. They’re my favorite flower.”
“Arwen Lily Valondale,” he mused. My name on his lips was like a prayer, if a prayer could be sensual. It was nearly enough to make me whimper.
“I behaved abominably last night. I let my rage consume me. It wasn’t befitting of a king. Or a man, frankly.” I hesitated, then turned to face Kane. My heart almost couldn’t take the sight of him. He looked as if he hadn’t slept all night, his hair disheveled, his eyes red. And still he was nearly too handsome to behold. Exhaustion lined his expression as he regarded me. “I am so sorry,” he said, his voice weary. “And for whatever it’s worth, you were incredible in the forum. As brilliant as you are beautiful.”
“There is only true courage in facing what frightens you. What you call fear is indeed power, and you can wield it for good.”
“You remind me of . . . I would have been very proud to see my daughter grow up like you, Arwen.” For a moment I was speechless. It was the kindest thing I’d ever heard him say. It was maybe the kindest thing anyone besides my own mother had ever said to me. “What happened to her?” I asked tentatively. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. Dagan bent down to pick up the swords and wrap them in their coverings. “My wife and infant daughter were killed by the very man that Kane wages war against.” I staggered back at the horror of his words. “That grief, that anger. I find a way to harness it each
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“Keep going. This is my new favorite pastime. Death by bird.”
“Don’t sell yourself so short, bird. I’m never trying to insult you. You have no idea how exceptional I think you are.”
“You showed extraordinary bravery when you had no hope it would save you. Whether you know it or not, Arwen, there is a wild strength inside of you. You don’t need Ryder, or Dagan, or me, or anyone else to take care of you. Remember that. You are enough.”
“This is healing very quickly.” “That happens with me sometimes,” I breathed, but Kane was lost in his own thoughts. “I thought”—his voice cracked, and my heart stumbled over a beat—“I’d lost you. I couldn’t eat. Sleep. Move.” A sad smile tugged at his lips. “Shave.” He considered me with something akin to awe. “I did not want to live in a world without you in it.”
