Page 41 of Kiss of Embers

That was an hour ago, and Drute was still gone. I’d rolled all my clothing into tidy little logs and stuffed them in my pack. I’d eaten dinner—or whatever mealtime at four in the morning was called. I’d washed the grime and dust of the catacombs from my body.

And Ihadn’twaited for the dragons to come knocking. Thank the gods they hadn’t shown up. Maybe they finally got the hint and decided to abandon their quest to “woo” me.

That was a good thing, I thought, setting my brush down and moving into the main part of the tent. Now, I could focus on the second challenge instead of worrying about two burly Highlanders lurking around every corner.

But, seriously, where were they? My gaze strayed to the tent’s opening, where a lavender sky heralded the approaching dawn. Voices and sounds of commotion drifted from outside, where the other competitors were pulling down their tents and preparing to break camp. Struan’s deep blue eyes floated in my memory.

“I would die before I harmed you.”In his accent, theyouhad sounded more likeye. But the veracity behind his words had rung crystal clear.

Absently, I brushed my fingers over my neck. Struan had saved me from that doppelganger. He’d appeared right when I needed him. Finn had showed up moments later. Was it fate? Or was it something more sinister? They could have arranged for my lookalike to attack me just so they could conveniently sweep in as knights in shining armor.

Or maybe, a little voice in my head whispered,they’re exactly what they say they are.

My fated mates.

And yet, they hadn’t checked on me after the challenge. Were those the actions of men supposedly obsessed with me? On the other hand, Finn was part vampire, and the sky outside continued to brighten. Maybe he couldn’t tolerate the sun.

I shook my head, trying to dispel my wayward thoughts. I had more pressing things to worry about than the dragons’ intentions. The second challenge loomed, and I had no idea whatto expect. Also, this business with Galen of House Baudelaire was a complication I didn’t need.

But I had Drute in my corner. If the witches were trying to sabotage me, he’d figure it out. Then we could decide whether to take the information to Bolveg and the Rules Committee.

I crouched in front of my backpack and stuffed a few more T-shirts inside. Drute and I wouldn’t collapse the tent until the last possible moment. It was spelled to fold down to the size of a napkin, but it was still heavy to lug around. Hopefully, the site of the next challenge wasn’t too far of a hike.

As I checked the straps on my pack, a shadow fell across the tent’s opening.

“Zara?” Brader called. “I know you’re in there.” He cleared his throat. “I came to talk.”

I stood, lingering resentment mixing with fresh anger. He probably wouldn’t go away unless I spoke with him. Not that I owed him a conversation. But he was still a neighbor—and my only ally on the Council. My duty to the pack came before my personal feelings, however valid.

“Come in,” I said.

Brader ducked inside. He’d changed his clothes, and his hair gleamed like a polished coin. The scent of pine and body wash teased my nose.

He stuffed his hands in his pockets, then gazed around the tent. “Looks like you’re just about packed.”

“Yes.”

Brader looked at me, his sky-blue eyes serious. “I don’t want animosity between us, Zara.”

Weariness settled around me like a cloak. “I don’t want it, either, but you keep doing things to create it.”

“Is that what you think? Because from where I’m standing, I’ve done the opposite. I apologized for following you to the Games. I withdrew my complaint with the Rules Committee.”

“Which you should have never filed in the first place,” I said, my temper rising. “I’m here for my pack, Brader. That elixir will save countless lives. I’m going to win it.”

Brader stepped toward me, his wolf flashing in his eyes. “Is that why I found you lying in a dragon’s arms tonight?”

For a moment, I saw red. “You came in here saying you don’t want animosity between us. Yet here you are spewing bullshit.”

He slashed a hand through the air. “Thedragonsare the ones spewing bullshit!”

I glanced at the tent entrance over his shoulder. “Keep your voice down.”

“I can’t be quiet. Not about this. Not about us.” He moved fast, gripping my arms before I could blink. “Gods, why do you think I was so upset to see those bastards claim you’re their mate? I love you, Zara. Haven’t you realized that by now?”

Shock tripped through me. And warning bells clanged in my head. Perhaps I should have seen Brader’s declaration coming. But he’d never given any indication that his heart was part of the alliance he offered. We’d shared a couple nights of lust. Nothing more. Since then, he’d seemed content to bask in the glow of the female attention he received from every direction. Even if I loved him, which I didn’t, I could never offer him the level of adoration he got from his many admirers. But there was another reason I’d dismissed the idea of a marriage between us.

“We’re not fated mates,” I said.