Page 28 of Hearts on Fire

That didn’t mean that at some point in his long life, he wouldn’t have grown to regret leaving Dakath. I couldn’t possibly demand that from him.

But I also meant what I’d said. I didn’t have much trust in humanity. I couldn’t put my fate into the whims of the River of Mists, hoping it would deliver us to a better time period or that it wouldn’t end up killing us outright during the next crossing.

Like I’d said to Elex, regardless of where we lived in my world, he would always have to hide what he was. And if he were discovered, he risked a whole bunch of horrible things being done to him, from tortures by the Medieval Inquisition to getting dissected and studied by scientists of the more modern times.

I didn’t regret not accepting his offer. I’d come to terms that Dakath was now my home the night Ertee died. But his apology meant the world to me. It was sincere, and it was all that mattered.

Heat pulsed inside me, making my cheeks burn, but my body shivered. I rubbed my hands, trying to warm them up, and tugged the blankets tighter around me, pulling my knees to my stomach.

If Elex remembered his history lessons correctly, which seemed like he did, the war would be over within the next few days. Maybe he was right and thingswouldget better in the peaceful times?

I couldn’t imagine a brutal man like King Edkhar changing that drastically, but he was to marry this summer. Maybe his wife had a bigger influence on him than history gave her credit for? Maybe she would be the one who helped their son grow into the great king that Elex claimed he would become?

Hope bloomed in me. I’d had no one back in the human world, no one for me to even miss or mourn. In Dakath, I had Elex. I’d found a good friend in Zenada, too. The rest of the women treated me well, and most were friendly.

Maybe there still was a chance for a better life for all of us here?

Nine

ELEX

She didn’t train the next day. He sat on the wall for two hours, waiting for her, but she didn’t show up. He wasn’t hiding, sitting there in plain view. Maybe that was what scared her?

Was she avoiding him again?

Maybe she needed time to realize he was not going anywhere. If so, he had to make it clearer to her, he was there to stay. He wasn’t going to abandon her. He never had.

He sat in the same spot the following day again. Waiting. Her board with the painted “dragon eye” remained in its spot, hidden by the wall, but she didn’t come.

Did she need all this time to think about their last conversation? He fucking hoped she didn’t regret their kiss, because he fully intended for more of those to come.

When the king decided to have another “celebration” with thesalamandras, Elex was sure he'd finally see Amber there. This time, his anticipation wasn’t marred by fear. He’d claimed Amber as his at the event before. He could reasonably expect she’d be sitting on his lap today and every day. And he was looking forward to that.

Except that when thesalamandrasquietly padded into the Great Hall, their heads bowed, the golden lace lowered over their faces, Amber was not among them.

He knew it the moment he scanned the row of the women. Despite their identical clothes and poses, he would’ve recognized Amber even if there were a million of them.

His anticipation was immediately replaced by unease. Then, the unease grew into worry, bordering on panic. He shifted uncomfortably on his lavishly decorated perch like it was a bed of knives and arrowheads.

Amber wasn’t here. And he didn’t know why.

“Lord Elex,” the king boomed from his throne, shoving the woman on his knee aside to see Elex better. “You’ll have to choose another little lizard today. Mine says that yours isindisposed.”

Laughter erupted from the king’s mouth, along with the crumbs of the bread he was chewing. As if the concept of a woman getting sick was somehow comical to him.

Elex clenched his hands into fists, forcing himself to remain seated. Punching the royal face wouldn’t help anyone right now.

“What’s wrong with her?” He tried to keep his voice neutral, asking not the king but thesalamandrain his lap.

Well trained, she just jerked her head lower and kept quiet.

The king dipped his bread into a bowl of gravy, speaking for her, “She’s sick. Probably ate something she shouldn’t have. Get another one. We have plenty left.” He gestured with the bread at the small group of unclaimed women standing by the entrance.

“Come to think of it…” Elex stretched deliberately slow and yawned especially wide. “I believe I’ve overexerted myself during the weapon’s training earlier today.”

“Did you break or pull something?” The king took a bite of the gravy-soaked bread, the grease and crumbs dripping down his beard. “Do you need a healer, now that they’re conveniently here?” He gestured at the group of thesalamandrasagain.

“No. It’s not that bad, just uncomfortable. But a soak in the water caves may help. If Your Majesty would excuse me, I’ll head there right now.” He got up from his perch and gave the king a gracious bow.