Page 64 of King of Fire and Flames

“Shit,” I said wittily, leaping backward to stop myself passing through her translucent body, which I’d learned from experience was a terrible feeling for both of us. “Could you please stop being such a… a ghost and scaring the life out of me at inconvenient times?”

“Wish I could,” she replied, her raspy laugh raising hairs along my spine. “How have you been occupying yourself this morning, human who was unable to achieve the simple mission of killing her ex-lover?”

“Simple? Ruhh, I tried to kill Arrow. Twice. The other night, I made it into his bedchamber, but he knew I was there the second I entered. And why didn’t you tell me that fae can only be killed by a knife to the heart, not the chest, or throat, or the dust-damned stomach.”

“That isn’t true of all fae—only the kings and queens.”

“Okay. That’s confusing but useful information. Where’s your family?” I asked. “Since I’m soon to marry your nephew, I should probably get to know them better.”

“Eating lunch in the fire conservatory. I will kindly show you the way.”

I dipped a mock bow. “Oh, yes, you’re a translucent beacon of benevolence.”

“Indeed I am kind today. Not that you deserve such courtesy. Fortunately for you, your motivations interest me. I’ll take you to the conservatory via the route that passes by the stables so you may see Luna briefly. Since the mergelyn anklet has given you freedom to move about the city, I’ve watched you visit your horse, and I like it best when you ride her through the fire gardens. I keep hoping she might stumble onto a geyser.”

I rolled my eyes. “Charming.”

“I do my best,” she said with a grin, before zooming along the corridor, forcing me to sprint after her like we were children playing a game of tag.

Chapter 20

Leaf

Ruhh led me to a secluded corner of town, where the tower-like structure of the fire conservatory rose high above the surrounding pine forest. Crafted entirely from vibrant stained glass, its gleaming spire speared the sky and seemed to go on forever.

As I followed Ruhh through the entrance, my mouth fell open in awe at the building’s dark beauty.

While the weather had improved and sunlight peeked through the clouds, not a single ray shone inside the conservatory. Instead, magical flames danced along a channel beneath the windows, casting an eerie glow over the entire space. Shadows slinked across the silver-tiled floor, while vibrant red and orange hues from the stained glass adorned the lush foliage sprawling over most surfaces.

“How do the plants grow without sunlight?” I asked Ruhh.

“Magic, silly.” She cackled and sailed off to hover behind the royal family, perched on scrolled silver chairs arranged behind a long black table so polished that it reflected their figures upon its surface.

Carefully navigating around streams of magical substances that flowed along the floor, some channels coursing with water, others with fire, I moved toward the high table until I stood in front of the Fire Prince.

“Hello, Zali. Why don’t you join us?” said Bakhur, patting his lap. “I’ve saved you a seat.”

Azarn ignored me, focusing on his meal. Estella shook her head slightly, and Marcella dropped her fork with a loud clang as if shocked by my arrival.

“There is a spare place beside me, human,” the king’s sister said. “Come and tell me all about your time in Coridon.”

Coridon.

I stifled a groan of longing.

The Storm Court was a golden, light-filled paradise compared to the smelly hellhole that was Taln. In truth, I preferred Arrow’s city a million times over the Sun Realm capitol, an opinion best not shared with Marcella.

“Call me by my name instead of human and I’ll gladly sit with you,” I said, pasting on a perky smile.

“Zali, please join me,” she replied with a gracious nod and an equally fake smile.

As I took a seat at the end of the table, Ruhh zipped over and floated above my right shoulder, ghostly wisps of her dress caressing my skin.

“Sister,” Marcella said, curling strands of long, red hair around her finger. “Let Zali and I speak in private. Go talk to Estella. She and her maidens will soon begin planning Bakhur’s wedding to the mortal. Perhaps you can share your dreams for the ceremony you would have had if the Storm King had been gracious enough to accept father’s offer for your hand.”

Ruhh let loose a shriek of fury, then disappeared, a trail of green dust floating through the conservatory’s arched doorway in her wake.

Marcella shrugged, her lips twisting cruelly. “It is quite difficult to get Ruhh to stop speaking about her fabled wedding to King Arrowyn. Strange she had no desire to lecture Estella about it now.”

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