Page 70 of Only Flames Remain

Rensford cleared his throat. “Your brother was just here.”

“Which one?” Sorin asked through clenched teeth.

“Valerian.”

This caught Sorin’s attention, and he inclined his head.

“What was Valerian doing here?” He took a few steps toward Rensford, allowing me to pull back from the cold glass pressed at my back.

“You have been summoned back to Gothryn,” Rensford answered.

“That didn’t take long,” Sorin murmured, almost to himself. “I had hoped for at least a few days in Stormgaard.”

Rensford raised his brow at Sorin, ignoring my presence. “Even after tonight?” When Sorin didn’t respond, he continued. “The Princess Morwenna is journeying to Gothryn. King Mavros expects your presence upon her arrival.”

Princess Morwenna?

When Sorin’s gaze turned toward me I realized the words had been said aloud rather than remaining a thought, as I had intended. He smiled, the corner of his lips turning up to reveal his pointed incisors.

“Morwenna is the Princess of Ravenscar,” he explained.

“I know that.” I straightened my shoulders. I had history lessons, too.

Ravenscar might not be an ally, but I knew their royals. Sorin turned toward me fully, his attention perfectly focused on me. It was as if Rensford had simply disappeared and it was only the two of us standing in this room once more, the tension between us electric.

“But she is not only a princess.” His grin grew wide and his eyes creased at the corners, the only sign of age on his otherwise unblemished face. His gaze darkened. “She is my betrothed.”

CHAPTER 20

Sorin

Aveline reeled back, drawing in a sharp breath. “Your what?”

“My betrothed,” I answered simply.

Was she…jealous? No, it couldn’t be.

“Sorin?” Rensford’s impatient voice sounded from the doorway behind me.

I nodded without turning toward him, my gaze still fixed on Aveline. “You’ll stay here. Voirel and Rensford will keep you company.”

“Sorin, I—” Ren started but was cut off when my head snapped in his direction, gaze dark.

I turned back to Aveline once more, expression softening. “You are allowed to leave these chambers, but you are not allowed to leave Stormgaard. I will be disposing of that skiff, so don’t get any ideas about taking it. The current from the Whispering Tides in these waters is too strong for even the most practiced Vireth to row out. If you take to the sea, all you will find is death. Have I made myself understood?”

Aveline didn’t respond; her gaze fell as she shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. After a moment of silence, her gaze drew back up to meet mine with a single nod.

She turned, throwing herself down onto the bed with an aggravated huff. She was certainly audacious to be upset with these conditions under the current circumstances. While I now understood why she had done what she did, it didn’t change the fact that she had tried to poison me. If anyone else but those at Stormgaard knew—it would be punished as treason.

“When will you be back?” Ren asked as I made for the door, and he stepped aside to allow me to pass.

“I’m not sure,” I replied honestly.

His voice drew to a hush so that Aveline wouldn’t be able to hear us from the doorway. “I am the commander of the king’s army; in case you have forgotten. I cannot remain here and play babysitter to your sister and your plaything.”

My responding gaze had him immediately shaking his head in apology.

“Rensford.” My voice was a warning.