A Promise of Fire (Kingmaker Chronicles, #1)

by Amanda Bouchet

“I like a woman of many talents.” “I think you just like women.” He gets an odd look on his face, a flash of vulnerability, gone so fast I might have imagined it. “All shapes and sizes,” he magnanimously admits.

“Of the eight children, four were left. I killed Otis. That leaves Laertes, Priam, and Ianthe.

“But you absorbed it and sent it back?” I shake my head. “Not then. I couldn’t do that then.” I see the exact moment he puts the pieces together. It doesn’t take long. “The oracle. The gift.” I don’t deny or confirm, and I don’t tell him I was granted two gifts, or that I’ve felt Poseidon’s presence close to me ever since.

“What do you say we kill every last one of them?” I turn, and my eyes crash into his. For me? “I’d say our goals have common ground,” I answer cautiously, a little breathless.

“Andromeda trapped Lukia and Eleni and then forced them into an arena, intending them to fight to the death.” I use words Beta Sinta will understand. “They were a team. They worked together to stay alive. The two girls actually liked each other, and Andromeda couldn’t have that. They were growing up, becoming more powerful, thinking. Their popularity was reaching dangerous levels, especially since Andromeda had none.”

“Lukia was the only one without fire, like her mother. Their magic was different, more…internal. I guess Andromeda thought that made her special.”

His arms tense as he lowers his head, inhaling long and deep in the curve of my neck. When he speaks, his lips brush the sensitive skin below my ear, and a shiver races from my head to my toes. In a low rasp, he says, “I like the way you feel.” What! He lifts his head, and his raised eyebrows tell me I didn’t just shriek that in my head. “And you won’t admit it,” he says quietly, “but you like the way I feel, too.”

“See how well we fit?” Beta Sinta’s question is like a toe-curling caress, soft yet urgent. “You have no idea how much I want to touch you.”

You’re asking the wrong questions, Beta Sinta.” “My name is Griffin.” “Your name is Beta Sinta.” “That’s what I am, not who I am.”

I only have nightmares now when Beta Sinta—Griffin—isn’t snoring a few feet from me. Well, he doesn’t really snore, at least not much, but he got me used to sleeping next to him with that bloody rope, and now I don’t sleep nearly as well without him.

Griffin shakes Kato awake, and Kato takes over watch while Griffin spreads his bedding on the ground about ten feet from mine. In a matter of minutes, he appears to be asleep. I argue with myself for a while and then drag my things closer to his, stopping four feet away. Perfect. Just like with the rope.

“You could come closer.” Griffin’s gravelly voice rumbles over me in the dark, teasing. My pulse leaps, and I flush with embarrassment. “I don’t think so.”

“I hate you.” He’s silent for a moment and then very deliberately says, “I hate you, too.” His lie rips through me along with the truth, searing my bones and charring my organs, especially my heart.

Griffin curses and gallops after me. I stop and turn, drawing my sword. “Back off, idiot!” “I won’t leave you!” he thunders.

Within seconds, the whistle of the wind and the leathery thump of wings drown out Griffin’s heart-wrenching roar.

“Daughter of my heart.” “Poseidon!” I almost weep from joy. “You are brave, but foolish.”

“If I’d turned invisible she would have killed them.” “Do you care?” “Shouldn’t I? You sent Beta Sinta to me.” “Gave him to you,” Poseidon corrects. What’s that supposed to mean? “Why?” “Healing.” Poseidon’s voice increases in volume and echoes in my head, the word overlapping dozens of times in a way that makes my brain hurt.

“You. Dragon. Falling. Giant…water hand. Cerberus. Gods, Cat!” “That about sums it up.” Griffin glares at me like he wants to throttle me. Instead, he hauls me up against his chest and kisses me. There’s heat and urgency and relief in his touch. My lips part in surprise, and he deepens the kiss, sweeping his arms around me and lifting me to my toes.

I can’t bear to face Griffin after that kiss. My maturity level is apparently that of a five-year-old because I stay invisible for two whole days, until Panotii starts to protest.

“I’m happy to see you,” Griffin says, his unhurried gaze roaming over me and snagging on places that make my temperature rise. “I didn’t fancy introducing my family to a person they couldn’t see.”

“Are you sure I won’t enjoy getting the truth out of you,” he clarifies. His eyes brighten with mischief, and I’m pretty sure his mind is somewhere it shouldn’t be. Definitely shouldn’t be. A flush crawls up my neck, and he laughs. The warm, teasing sound seems to take up residence inside me, lightening my bones.

Griffin leans closer, his voice dropping to a low, suggestive rumble only I can hear. “There are things I could boast about, but I’d rather show than tell.”

“What are you doing?” I gasp. “Making sure you don’t head butt me, you little harpy.” Oh. I’m not disappointed. Definitely not disappointed.

My mouth opens, but no sound comes out. My chest tightens painfully. He’s…worried about me?

“I have enough to worry about. I don’t want to worry about you, too.”

“Why don’t I ever think of stabbing you?” I ask, sliding my fingers over the knife in my belt. Griffin chuckles, and before I can frown, or curse, or say something cutting, he closes the gap between us, sweeps me into his arms, and kisses me.

His tongue swirls against my skin, and I gasp. His voice rough with passion, he rasps, “You’re living fire. I burn.” I open my eyes. Actually, I’m the Fisan without fire.

And as I stare in shock and confusion at the charred footprints branching out like lightning bolts in the dust where I just stood, it doesn’t escape me that I’m relieved he didn’

And we’d all like to know what Griffin did to make you agree.” “He asked nicely,” I answer tartly. And nothing else I’m talking about. Or thinking about. Or acknowledging. Ever.

These people actually like each other? What kind of family is this? I turn away, a tight, prickly feeling spreading across my chest.

“Is this who you’ve found for us, Griffin?” Egeria asks, shading her dove-like eyes from the setting sun. “This has a name,” I say frostily. “It’s Cat.” “And she has claws,” Griffin supplies, winking at his sister. “So don’t provoke her.”

“Don’t take long. We’re next,” Griffin says in clipped tones. “At least you didn’t all strip naked and jump in with me,” I joke. Kato chuckles. “Maybe next time.” “Out!” Griffin barks. “Did you leave your sense of humor somewhere?” I ask, treading water and trying to take my boots off at the same time. Granite eyes flash to mine. “It must be in the cave.”

“I’m not dressed enough,” I mutter, digging in my heels. He looks me over. “You look dressed to me. I recall a lot more skin when you’re not.” The blush that instantly hits my face sparks a teasing gleam in his eyes. Once it’s back, I realize how much I missed it.

“You have other things to do. Send Kato. Or Flynn.” “No.” “What do you mean, no?” He goes from resigned to belligerent in a heartbeat. “Do you need me to say it in—

Griffin chuckles and raises his hand. I flinch—old habits die hard—and he frowns at my reaction. He smooths his hand down my braid, his calluses snagging on strands of hair. The tips of his fingers brush the side of my neck, and their roughness makes me shiver. “You should really stop resisting me,” he murmurs.

My thighs start to burn. “Alpha Sinta is supposed to tell me to get up!” I hiss to Griffin. “Egeria!” He mimes something I see out of the corner of my eye. “Cat!” she cries. “Please stand.” I do, suppressing a groan of relief.

“What were you doing there?” She sounds genuinely interested, and a little awed. “Mostly getting tortured,” I answer. “Loads of fun.”

I turn to the lovely, round woman at Anatole’s side. “Nerissa, you’re just the consort. You don’t matter.” Griffin’s mother lifts one eyebrow. Slowly. I could probably have phrased that differently.

Griffin might still murder you all in your sleep,” I joke, setting my glass to my lips. “He could try,” Anatole says with a chuckle, and I nearly spit out my wine.

I stare at the lamb steak slathered in butter oregano sauce with tiny red potatoes fried until they’re crispy. I look at Griffin, realize my jaw has come unhinged, and snap it shut. He winks, and I kick him under the table.

“Why at the moment?” Egeria asks, perhaps shrewder than I gave her credit for. I try to look apologetic. “I can’t explain unless the stars align just right and Zeus makes me his wife.” Griffin chokes on a bite of lamb. Carver coughs into his fist. Everyone else looks like they’re trying to decide if I’m serious.

Griffin isn’t even trying not to laugh anymore. I put my knife down before I slip and stab him.

“It’s really not done,” I hedge. Griffin leans close, heating my entire left side. “Stage fright?” he rumbles in my ear. Me? Ha! I flick my wrist, smacking his chin as he draws back. “Sorry. Gnats.” The ladies gasp. Griffin’s eyes spark, I’m not sure with what.

Carver clears his throat, his dark eyes laughing. “What about me?” “You’re an incorrigible flirt and a pain in everyone’s backside.” Kaia claps her hands, beaming. “Cat’s wonderful, Griffin! I’m so glad you found her.”

Griffin’s eyes never leave my face, his expression a little too warm for my peace of mind.

Watch your back, Cat.” “Why?” I’m actually curious. “Because I’ve got my eye on you.” I can’t help it. I laugh. “I’ll let you know when I’m scared.”

Kato flops across my bed, linking his hands behind his head. The casual position stretches his tunic across his chest and over his biceps. I can’t help noticing. I’m not interested, but I still have eyes.

Why didn’t I have brothers like Kato and Flynn? My life would have been so different.

I won’t fit into my pants.” “Those leather ones from the circus?” Flynn chuckles. “Griffin couldn’t take his eyes off your ass.” I choke on what’s left of my spice cake, and Flynn pounds me on the back.

“Griffin is ten years older than I am. All my life, I’ve seen women watch him, want him.” She presses the ribbon into my hand. “He looks at you the way they look at him.”

AHHHHHHH