Page 107 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

My eyes widen. He sounds upset.

Why is he upset?

Why do I care?

I drop my gaze and take a deep breath.

A pale-purple flower lies on the stone beside a potted plant. I bend to pick it up, keeping my attention on the soft petals and not the confusing male before me.

“What were you really doing this morning?” I ask, finding it hard to believe he spent hours traipsing around Virendrell without a purpose.

The sound of birdsong fills the space between us, coming from the garden on the floor below.

For a moment, I think Rian won’t answer.

Then—

“In addition to identifying important locations in the city, I visited the aviary to send an eagle to Jaxon, telling of the Virendrellian representative’s impending arrival.”

I look up. “Virendrell uses Aella eagles?”

He dips his chin. “How else do you think they communicate with those outside their walls?”

Good point.

I drop my gaze back to the flower. I twirl the short stem between my thumb and forefinger.

“Why didn’t Jaxon want to come to Virendrell?”

“That is not my story to share.”

Rian steps closer and plucks the flower from my hand. Before I can object, he slides it into my hair.

My breath catches.

His fingers linger.

Our eyes lock, and I drink in the flecks of silver that peek through the darkness. A color, I realize, I only ever see when he’s looking at me.

“Come.” He steps back, pulling on the the fragile thread connecting us.

I swallow. “Where?”

“The training yard.” A faint smirk curves his lips. “Draven says you’re overdue for sparring practice.”

I groan. “Now?”

“Yes.” He chuckles. “And I wouldn’t keep the captain of my guard waiting if I were you.”

He strides through the tall glass doors, but I am frozen in place.

His laughter wraps around my heart, stirring the magic inside me until it hums in my chest.

Sleep must’ve helped strengthen my power.

Good.

I need the healing magic to replenish itself. I’ll need all of its strength if I ever want to heal Darius and leave Rian behind.