Page 18 of Wild Flame

The gentleness in it was unsettling.

Pulling my hand away, I gave him a faint smile. “Thank you.”

Thankfully the gentle look vanished and his brow quirked. “I’m not going to even bother asking why you just made an offering to one of the Dark Gods.”

“Good,” I replied, “because I wouldn’t answer you even if you did.”

His lip twitched at my snippy response, but then his expression sobered. “I know you trained with the High Priest for a while when we were younger, but I thought your patron god was The Ma—”

“My faith is my own,” I said, cutting him off. “I don’t feel the need to announce it for all to see, as you well know.”

I eyed The Warrior talisman woven into the end of his braid as I said this.

He stared down at me and nodded. “My apologies, Princess. I did not mean to offend you.”

The formality of the title grated, and I touched his arm. “I’m sorry,” I apologized, my shoulders sagging. “I didn’t mean to snap at you. I didn’t sleep well and I’m tired. I warned you this morning when you offered to come out with me that I would be poor company.”

His soft smile returned. “That you did. I forgot how surly you are in the morning.”

I shot him a look, and he chuckled. “Helene was always the morning person,” I admitted.

“I prefer the surly ones.” He winked at me. “There's something seriously wrong with people that can be that chipper when the sun’s barely up.”

As I shook my head at him, he pushed the door open for me and we stepped back out onto the street. The two guards that had accompanied us waited just outside and straightened as we emerged.

We had only taken a few steps away from the temple portico when a somewhat familiar voice spoke from behind me.

“Is it common practice in Halmar to worship The Assassin?”

I spun to see Prince Amir standing there. He wore his dark hair slicked back and had a smirking expression. His dragon wasn’t with him, and I found it odd that no guards flanked him, either.

“Not particularly, Your Highness,” I replied carefully.

He acknowledged Leif and his dragon with a nod, and then continued. “I have to admit, I find it intriguing to find a member of the royal family at a Dark God’s temple.”

“I could make the same observation of you,” I pointed out. “But if you must know, I simply find it good practice to pay my respects to all the Nine. I’d prefer not to have any of their eyes fixed on me for any length of time if I can help it.”

“Sensible of you,” he noted dryly, as if he did not quite accept my excuse. “Unlike you, I am in the city for a much less pious reason, I’m afraid.”

When he didn’t elaborate, I merely raised a brow in question.

“I’m simply trying to avoid my duties at the palace.” He sighed, twirling a small ring on his finger. “I grow weary of the endless meetings and presentations. Not to mention all the bowing and simpering from those of lesser standing. It grows tiresome. I decided to leave that to my dutiful elder brother for the day.”

He did not entirely mask his contempt as he mentioned Malik, which I found interesting. And contrary to his claim, I had gotten the impression since being here that this prince actually rather enjoyed beingbowed and simpered to, as he called it.

I was saved from replying when Astrid of all people materialized out of the crowd on the street and came striding up to me. She bobbed a curtsy to first me and Leif, then to Prince Amir.

“My lady. Your Highness. My apologies for the interruption, but Hilde sent me to find you.”

“What is it, Astrid? Is something wrong?” I asked.

The poor girl’s eyes widened and her cheeks pinkened. “Oh, no—no, of course not. Princess Zara came looking for you. She wishes to speak with you.”

Surprise colored my tone as I responded, “Very well. You can accompany us back to the palace.”

Astrid smiled brightly and nodded. She was rather pretty when she smiled and let her shyness and reservations fall away. “Very good, my lady.”

I turned and made my excuses to the prince beside me, noting that Amir was giving Astrid a rather appraising look.

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