Page 21 of Only Flames Remain

I sucked a breath in through my gritted teeth as Azhar applied the salve, rubbing the thick, viridian ointment across the open wound. I released a heavy exhale when he finally placed the dressing across it, taping it into place.

I sat up straight, immediate relief pervading my every sense and nerve ending. I prayed to the old gods that I would get some sleep tonight. I pulled the tunic back into place, a smile of thanks across my lips.

“My deepest gratitude, Azhar.” He sat back at the desk, and I reached forward to grasp his shoulder and squeeze. “Should I take the tincture with me?”

Azhar nodded enthusiastically. “Oh, certainly! Three drops under the tongue when the pain gets too bad. If it is unbearable, you can try six. But beware, you will be bedridden exponentially longer the more you take.”

I nodded in understanding. I was lucky we had flown to Myros today. King Mavros would be busy strategizing tomorrow, and I could likely escape his notice.

I rose to my feet, a tired sigh escaping my lips. I could already feel exhaustion settling into my bones. I moved toward the door; my boots heavy against the cobbled stone floor.

With my hand poised on the brass handle, I turned back to glance at him over my shoulder. I could make out half of his frail body hunched over the desk beneath the curved arch of the study doorway.

“Azhar?”

“Yes?” he asked, his gaze lifting. A moment of silence passed between us, and his hesitant smile fell. “What is it?”

“Do you think—” I cleared my throat. “Do you think I’ll ever find her?”

He needn’t ask to whom I was referring, I could only be referring to one thing. To the one who might lift this curse. Who might rescue me from this affliction. Who might save me from myself.

My mate.

His gaze softened, eyes creasing as his lips turned up. “If anyone deserves to find their mate, it is you. My mastery lies within mending; I cannot foretell the future.”

I responded with a tight smile.

I wasn’t entirely sure that I deserved to find her, but I sure as shit needed to.

The curse continued to spread as tension between Gothryn, and its neighboring kingdoms crested to a fever pitch. Gothryn was on the brink of war, and I needed to prepare to step into my father’s place.

I needed to prepare to take the throne of Gothryn.

With every beat of my heart…I was running out of time.

CHAPTER 7

Aveline

When Kallias finally strode through the door to his bedroom, I practically collapsed in relief. I ran to him, tossing my arms around his neck and pressing his warm body against mine. He laughed gently, the vibration thrumming through me.

I would miss this laugh. The way his scruff rubbed against my face. His soft, tender kisses.

“Aveline.” He hummed against me, burying a steady hand in the tangled hair at the back of my neck.

That voice. Those dusky green eyes.

It would be weeks before I saw him again. Months. All I wanted to do was break down in his arms, but I needed to maintain my composure. He couldn’t suspect my true mission, or Queen Dyata would simply make me…disappear. She would send me to the farthest reaches of Aeloria, never to be seen or heard from again. She was far too powerful to make an enemy of.

I pulled away to gaze into his eyes. They were warm beneath the reflection of the amber light from the fire burning in the grate.

“Stuck in meetings with your father?” I asked, stroking the back of his neck softly.

He nodded. He had bags beneath his eyes, and the lines around his mouth were taut with exhaustion. With a soft smile, I dragged him toward the bed. Right as we were about to settle down onto it, I heard scratching at the door.

“I’ve been searching for that little rascal all day. I wasn’t sure I would find him before I left in the morning!” I made for the door and Quinnick yipped with happiness, tiny little yelps of joy escaping him at the sound of my footsteps on the other side of the door.

No sooner had I opened the door did he sprint inside—right past me—to jump up onto the bed. He curled into a ball where my pillow lay, his white, bushy tail thumping happily. I followed him back to the bed, scratching behind his ear in his favorite spot until he settled down.