Page 73 of To Fight and To Fold

Aaryn didn't like the solemn tone in her voice, and couldn't help but study her.

Thea looked… good. As always. She was in that mysteriously shiny armor, the pauldron and leather and… scales hugging her frame. Aaryn's cheeks heated at the memory of their closeness in her room, which was still a secret she hadn't shared with a single living soul. Not even Rose, who would probably expire if she knew Aaryn was talking to Thea at this very moment.

At the thought, her gaze trailed around the center of the gardens, but no one was around. They were alone.

And yet for the first time in weeks, Aaryn didn't feel lonely.

Focus. "What do you mean?"

"They think of dragons as nothing more than weapons." Thea waved a hand at the fountain. "And they think of you as nothing more than a maid of the armory."

A frown tugged at Aaryn’s lips, but she didn't want to show Thea just how hard her words hit.

"Starspark is your dragon. Not theirs," she said, as if Aaryn still needed convincing.

She didn’t, because she was leaving with Thea this time.

"What are you doing here?" Aaryn asked, plucking at the fabric of her dress.

Thea sighed. "Hoping you've come to your senses."

Aaryn pursed her lips. "What makes you think I have?"

Thea stood and turned to stare down at her, but with none of the animosity. Her gaze trailed up her sparkly dress and to the shelf of her chest, her long braid falling over her shoulder. She softened, and Aaryn felt warm at the mercy of her attention.

"Don't know. Wishful thinking," she admitted distractedly.

Aaryn's awareness sharpened to a point. "You wish for me?" Aaryn teased.

"Why would I not when you look like this?" Thea's eyes widened slightly, as if she hadn't meant for the words to slip out, and she cleared her throat.

“Where would we go?” Aaryn asked finally, though she remained seated.

“To Starspark.”

Skies, this woman. Aaryn wanted to throttle her. “You know that’s not what I was asking.”

The tentative peace began to crack. “Why would I reveal such a thing, just so you could run off to your little prince and tell him all our secrets? Please, I’m not daft.” She rolled her eyes and blew a stray lock of hair off her cheek.

Thea's jealousy was showing again. Aaryn could tell her she had nothing to worry about. She decided… not to.

And Thea got tired of the silence. "Well. We don't have all night. Your guard is stalking around here somewhere."

“You sound so sure of yourself. That I'll come with you," Aaryn remarked. And though she was right, Aaryn wanted her to work for it.

She turned on the bench and gazed over her left shoulder, tracing the tall and intimidating shape of the Tethered's tower. The carvings of dragons in the stone were breathtaking.

But she wouldn't be able to find Starspark from within its walls.

"This isn't just another long con to get me out of here and put me behind different bars? You swear I’ll see Starspark?"

Aaryn wouldn't know unless she… went.

Thea's expression remained carefully cool. “On my life,” she vowed, lifting a fist to her chest.

The prince's words often rang hollow, rehearsed in front of his gilded mirror. Thea's were heartfelt, genuine.

"Ask me," Aaryn said.