Page 31 of The Rook

“I’m not done,” Tempest continued, cutting Pyre off. She knew if she gave him even an inch of leeway, he would take over the conversation and she would not get the answers she needed. “What’s the deal with Chesh?” she demanded. “The bloody Hinterlands are the stuff of nightmares. They’re ourenemies,and yet you have one of their royals in your pocket? Just what in the blazes are you up to?!”

The Jester took a moment to pull a handkerchief from his pocket and mopped his face with it. Her breath sawed in and out of her lungs as he touched the bridge of his nose gingerly. Stars, shehopedit was broken. He deserved to have at least one blemish. The kitsune was too good-looking.

She stiffened.

You do not think he’s handsome.

It wasn’t the first time she’d lied to herself.

“It’s not broken.” He sighed. “How did you know about Chesh?”

“Though you believe me ignorant, I’m not. I’ve had one of the best educations Heimserya can offer. I speak four languages fluently and have extensively studied the neighboring kingdoms and our enemies. Why would you think I would not understand the tattoos on Chesh’s body were indicative of the highborn lines of his culture? Hinterland markings are distinctive. They document major life events on their skin. The symbols on his neck and arms were a dead giveaway.” She held a finger up. “And I don’t understand why he was flaunting them on the ship. Does the crazy cat have a death wish?”

“Speaking of said cat… You two were very close.”

She blinked. “What does that mean?”

“Even with a bloody nose I can smell his scent all over you.” Pyre gave her a mocking smile and then wiped the rest of the blood off his face. “Did you take some time out of your busy schedule toplaywith Chesh?”

“Excuse me?” Tempest gaped at him and crossed her arms over her chest, feeling self-conscious at his insinuation. “There was no time for any sort ofplaying… Plus, I’m not that sort of girl, anyhow.” She scoffed. “As if I’d risk my reputation and future by carelessly taking up with him.”

“Because he’s an unworthy shifter?”

“No, because I refuse to give something I consider precious to someone I barely know. I may have been raised with men, but they taught me to know my worth, and I know I’m worth more than some tumble in a stinking alley.” Several moments of silence passed between them. She hadn’t meant to give him that much information.

“Are you done?” he asked, picking at his nails.

His question only riled her up again. She wasn’t near done. “The journey was perilous, Pyre,” she spat. “Did Brine tellyou we were ambushed in the forest? A bloody dragon appeared! I didn’t even know those existed anymore. And then—” she held her hands in the air “—heshifted. It was a lucky thing that I had something he wanted, or he would have slaughtered us all for whatever perceived slight he imagined between us.”

Pyre stiffened. “Did you barter with him?”

His tone of voice had her stomach quivering. “I did what I had to. You should be thankful. If it weren’t for me, your men would be dead.”

Pyre’s eyes sharpened. “What did you give him?”

“None of your business,” she replied, careful to avoid touching her hair beneath her ear where a lock of it was missing. It was only hair, so why didn’t she want to tell him? Tempest shook her head and turned the conversation back on the kitsune. “And what are you doing dealing with dragons, anyway?” She stabbed a finger at the door. “There was one here not even five minutes ago!”

He shrugged. “It seems as if you had a full day, Temp.” The glint in his eyes changed, and he scanned her from head to toe and back again. She crossed her arms, feeling like he could see right through her nightgown. Why had she dropped her blanket? “Going by the way you’re shivering, I’d say you’re in need of a warm drink in front of the fire.”

It truly was freezing standing barefoot on the cold stone. The cavernous room was drafty. For a moment, she considered saying no, but practicality won out over her insatiable desire to make Pyre as miserable as she was. She nodded slowly and rubbed the bare skin of her arms. The chill seemed to go as deep as her bones.

“Then, let’s go to my study,” he replied, a pleased smilelifting his lips. “I have some tea brewing in there, and it’s plenty warmer than in here. Come, follow me.”

Pyre started for the door, his boots echoing on the etched stone floor. She darted back to her filched blanket, shook it out, and then wrapped it around her shoulders. Quickly, she snatched her bag from the ground and followed him through the huge double doors. He led her down a series of winding corridors lined with columns until they reached a very ordinary-sized, wooden door. The kitsune opened the door and indicated for Tempest to enter first. She sighed at the wave of heat that welcomed her. Tempest hummed in relief as her toes sank into a plush rug. She wasted no time tossing her bag next to a cushioned armchair near the fire and then collapsing into it. It was so nice to be off her feet after days of traveling. Her brows slashed together as she inspected the room closer.

“This room looks as if it was taken straight out of your cottage in the forest,” she mused, noting the paintings on the wall, the old wooden desk, and chipped kettle sitting in the fire, releasing a little steam from the spout. The place felt homey. Nothing like the cave, her lavish temporary chamber, or the cavernous meeting hall they’d just come from.

“That was the point,” he replied. Pyre knelt beside the fire to remove the kettle. “Even one such as I needs his home comforts… even during a rebellion.”

One such as I. She pursed her lips and stared at her lap. It was little moments like this that she forgot what he was,whohe was. It would be her downfall if she wasn’t careful. He was the Jester, not her Pyre.

He’s not your anything.

“Temp?”

She lifted her head, and he flashed her a grin.

“What’s on your mind?” he asked, pouring a cup of tea.

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