Page 26 of Wild Flame

His gaze wasn’t on me though, but on Malik. “It’s called wing walking,” he explained.

I glanced back to watch Malik as well. Amazed at how the pressure of the air from below made the dragon’s wings appear as solid as stone underfoot as he walked. Or perhaps that was simply a testament to Malik’s skill that he could make it appear so easy.

My theory was confirmed by Salim’s next words. “Our prince is one of the few riders that can do it, along with one or two ofhis Fangdar.” The respect in his voice was clear as he spoke of his prince. “Most fear to even unstrap themselves from the saddle during flight, but not our prince.” He shrugged. “Of course, it is needlessly dangerous and he would likely never use it during battle, but Prince Malik has never been one to be deterred by a little risk.”

“Very impressive,” I admitted, not sure what to say to this man, having never spoken to him directly before. And honestly, I wasn’t sure why he was speaking to me now.

“Priya and he will do well together,” he suddenly said, and I turned to look at him. His eyes met mine. “He deserves to be with someone who can match him in all aspects of his life.”

I didn’t respond to his statement. Instead, I turned back to stare out at the two riders and their dragons, just in time to see Malik throw his head back in laughter at something Priya had said.

I turned a page in my book as I continued my stroll through this as yet unexplored portion of the palace gardens. My hair was up in a cornet braid, and the afternoon sun beat down on the back of my exposed neck. I ignored the discomfort in favor of enjoying the quiet around me.

My guards followed at a discrete distance. I had wanted to be alone after my conversation with Salim. I could have simply gone back to my room and dismissed my maids, but I craved being outdoors, and the gardens here were so beautiful that I had decided to read to distract myself.

Unfortunately, my mind kept drifting to thoughts of Malik and our encounter last night. Exactly where I didn’t want my thoughts to go. But no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t stopthinking of the way he had stared at me, or the way his eyes flashed as he teased me . . . or when he confronted his brother. And of course, how I nearly lost my mind to fear and old memories, and Malik saw it all.

Realms!What was the matter with me? The last thing I needed to be thinking about was—

“Good morning, my lady.”

The warm voice came from behind me, and I spun to find the man himself standing before me. It was as if I had conjured him from my very thoughts. For that could be the only explanation as to why Prince Malik was standing in the middle of the garden path, dwarfing it with his massive physique. He wore sandstone riding leathers, the same ones all of his Fangdar wore. Part of his bronze chest and tattooed arms were exposed, and a long sai blade was strapped to one hip. His hair was tousled and a little damp as well, so maybe he had been flying or training? He looked utterly masculine and too tempting by half.Where had that thought come from?What was wrong with me?

“Malik!” I said in surprise and a little bit of alarm.

His disarming grin flashed in that playfully arrogant manner of his. “So we are back to Malik again? Good.”

“What are you doing here?” I demanded, ignoring his statement.

Those big shoulders shrugged. “Am I not allowed to take a stroll on my own grounds?”

The look on his face was teasing, and I couldn’t help wondering for a fleeting moment if he was here to see me.

Surely not.Mother’s voice was in my head, sneering.He’s a dragon rider and a king besides, why would he be interested in you?

I just raised a brow.

He stared at me for a moment and the teasing light left his eyes. “I wanted to see how you were doing after last night.”

My spine stiffened. “I’m fine.”

“Are you certain? You seemed . . . unsettled by what happened.”

I refused to discuss this with him. The last thing I needed was to explain myirrational—as my mother had called it—fear to him. I didn’t need him thinking I was more pathetic than he probably already did. “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness, but I assure you I am fine. Now, you’ll have to excuse me.” Without waiting for a response, I turned and began walking in the opposite direction.

I had barely gone a few paces before his large presence fell into step beside me. “My apologies, Princess. I did not mean to—”

“You didn’t,” I said crisply. “I just have somewhere else to be.”

To my annoyance, he didn’t leave, but instead leaned closer and asked, “I wonder . . . Are you off to hide away in the library?” He glanced down at the book in my hands. Then his eyes met mine and his voice lowered. “Or perhaps to go plan your next foray into the city?”

My steps halted.Realms!How did he—did he have someone following me? I thought back to that first night when I had thought I had felt someone watching me . . . I suppose it didn’t matter how he had found out. He knew. If it got back to my parents . . . I swallowed hard and tried not to let my anxiety at that possibility show as I played dumb.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He smirked and stroked his beard. “Really? Because I’ve been told you’ve snuck out several times after you excuse yourself from the feasts. And that rider of your father’s doesn’t accompany you, nor do your guards.”

“Do you take issue with how I spend my time, Your Highness? Those of us who aren’t riders must amuse ourselves somehow. Am I committing some crime that I am unaware of?” My tonecame out slightly sharper than I intended. There wasn’t actually anything threatening in his words or demeanor but . . .

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