Page 49 of Wild Flame

Malik looked far different than he had in the cemetery. He now wore the traditional sand-colored Zehvitian riding leathers rather than his regal all-white clothing. Then, he had been a soon-to-be-king, publicly mourning his father, commanding and fierce, as he stood with his siblings, ready to take the reins of the kingdom. He still looked imposing, like the warrior he was. That was too much a part of him to ever change. Now, though, he looked . . . tired, like he had the weight of the realm on his shoulders and, in some ways, he did. But he also just looked . . . sad. A son mourning his father.

It tugged at my heart to see so plainly that he was suffering.

“Are you sure?” I asked him hesitantly, gesturing to Azrun.

“He’s carried you before,” he stated.

I gave him a look. “That was hardly the same thing. That was life or death. This . . . this is . . .”Intimate.The word came to my mind unbidden. “This isn’t like that,” I finished lamely. “You can’t ask me to—"

“Iamasking you. I want you to ride with me. Just a short flight, then I will bring you back, I promise. Please,isholet?” Malik asked, when I still made no move to take his hand.

The endearment caught my attention, as did the look on his face when he used it. I finally decided to ask. “What does that mean? You called me that before.”

He smiled slightly, his expression softening. “You,” was all he said in response.

I decided not to press him on it. Then tried in vain to settle my nerves as I finally took his hand. It was warm and rough to the touch, and he gripped mine tightly as he escorted me to the edge of the balcony and assisted me onto the back of the dragon.

I had never truly appreciated how big Azrun was until this moment, but I didn’t have long to consider it before Malik swung his leg over and sat behind me in the saddle. His movements were swift and efficient as he took the leather straps attached to the saddle and tightened them over our thighs.

My heart pounded, and the blood came alive in my veins as he pressed closer against my back and lowered his head to whisper against my ear. “Ready, siren?”

I nodded breathlessly. I had only ever ridden on a dragon once before when I was young. Nova had barely been big enough to carry us both, but Helene and I had snuck away to the small cove we had discovered and spent hours swimming in the ocean and riding Nova as she dove into the waves. When we returned home, Mother and Father had been waiting to reprimand us—along with our tutor, who had been frantic when we disappeared—but we didn’t care. It had been one of the best days of my life.

Now the thrill was just as exhilarating as we rose into the inky sky. With only a few beats of Azrun’s powerful wings, we were soaring high above the sleeping city below.

At first, I drank in the feeling of freedom that being so high above the ground inspired, breathing in the lush, warm air. But as we flew through the silent night, only the occasional beat of Azrun’s wings disturbing the quiet, I wondered why Malik had asked me to ride with him. I thought again of the raw look in hiseyes just now and guessed I had my answer. Malik had admitted to having a complicated relationship with his father, but it was obvious he still loved him. And today he had put him to rest.

As if he could sense my thoughts, Malik’s arm came around me and held me more closely to him. Slowly, hesitantly, I placed my hand over his. He immediately laced our fingers together. We said nothing as we flew. Words weren’t needed.

Hours later, as the first watery rays of dawn were lightening the sky, he returned me to my balcony. I thought he would just watch me go inside, but instead he surprised me.

“I hear I missed out on quite a performance,” he said.

My brow pinched. “Performance?”

“Zara and several of my warriors couldn’t stop talking about your song this morning.”

Understanding dawned. “Ah. Yes, well, it was for Zara.”

He nodded, a soft smile lighting his lips. “Will you sing for me one day?”

He had asked before, but as I stared at him now, I found I couldn’t give a snarky reply. “Perhaps. One day.”

“I look forward to it.” We were quiet for a time, watching the sky continue to lighten before he asked, “Are you planning on attending the Coronation Games?”

“You Zehvitians never stop, do you?” I teased. “I fear when I return to Halmar in a week, I shall die of boredom from the lack of grand parties and events every night.” As I said it, I knew I really would miss it all and Zehvi as a whole. And even though I had been here for over a month already, I felt slightly mournful at the thought of leaving.

His lips twitched at my lame attempt at humor, but not before something flickered in them as I mentioned returning to Halmar. “So, you will be there?” he persisted.

Of course I would be there. It was expected, and he knew that. But I said none of this. Instead, I simply nodded. “I will be there.”

“Good.” He bent down and placed a soft kiss on my hand. Then he waited until I returned inside before flying away.

Chapter Nineteen

The day of the Coronation Games arrived, and the entire palace—including the nobles and servants—were abuzz with excitement and anticipation. This was an event that happened once or maybe twice in a lifetime. Leif and I, along with the rest of the court, made the trek down through the city, along with scores of other people, to the Nest. I couldn’t believe the coronation was tomorrow.

As we walked through one of the many tunnel entrances, a servant led Leif and me to a large platform that jutted out from the seats facing the center of the massive arena. A red canopy covered the seating area and blocked out the early morning rays. I counted at least twenty people sitting under it. Nilfren was there, along with the Baldorian delegates and several of the Rajid leaders. Harun and Tajan were also present, but I didn’t see Malik. I spotted Priya and Salim, as well as Queen Vashti. Priya—clad in a lilac gown that was shocking in how much of her it revealed—sat behind Zara and was mid-conversation with her when the other princess saw me. Her eyes lit up.

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