Page 86 of Wild Flame

“He speaks the truth, Your Majesty,” Brunara asserted solemnly. “Her character is well known.”

Yesh nodded. “I would not put it past her to have orchestrated the whole encounter with His Majesty.”

I stared down at my hands that were now clutched together in my lap. And for the first time since seeing Malik with Priya yesterday, I was able to look past the hurt and the anger to what had actually happened. Priya had been leaning into Malik, and yes, his hand was over hers, but he had said he was removing it. And the look on his face had been one of frustration and annoyance at the situation, not guilt or horror at being caught.

Is this truly what you think of me?Malik’s words echoed in my mind. And if Yesh’s declaration was true . . .

It was only then that the gravity of the insult I had paid him began to sink in.

I met Yesh’s stare. “Take me to him.”

Minutes later, the two Talonar had escorted me to Malik’s office. As I was let in—my guards waiting outside—I was reminded of the last time I had been here, when Malik had surprised me with Helene’s visit.

But the Malik who stood behind his desk this time was no longer smiling as he stared down at a piece of parchment in his hand. Azrun wasn’t present, but Harun was there, as was his dragon, who stood at his feet.

Harun acknowledged me with a nod. Malik didn’t even look up.

“What is it, Leida?” Malik asked.

Ignoring his brusque tone, I clasped my hands in front of me. “I would like to speak to you alone, Malik, if I could?”

Malik did glance up then, but there was no softness in his expression as he regarded me. “I’m busy, Leida. Can this wait until later?”

Hurt flickered through me, but again, I tried to ignore it as I opened my mouth to respond—

The door opened behind me, and a messenger entered. “Urgent message from the Obsidian Mines, Your Majesty,” the man said before handing Malik a scroll and taking his leave.

Malik immediately opened it. As he read the message, his face grew darker, his lips forming a tight line.

“What is it, Mal?” Harun asked in the silence that followed.

Malik pressed his knuckles onto the desktop and looked at his second. “There was a theft at the mines. Two guards were killed. No one knows who did it.”

“That shouldn’t be possible,” Harun muttered in disbelief. “What was taken?”

Malik didn’t reply, but the two men shared a weighted look. A lot was said with that look. Whatever it was made Harun go a little pale, and his dragon shifted his wings agitatedly at his feet.

“And Kheer?” Harun finally asked.

Malik held up the letter. “He says I should come myself and he will explain more.”

Harun’s eyes shot briefly to me, then back to Malik. “Surely you can’t mean to leave—"

“You will watch over things in my absence,” Malik instructed. “Amir has once again disappeared, but he will no doubt turn up. When he does, tell him I left you in charge.”

Harun raised a brow. “You intend to go alone?”

Malik shook his head. “Taj will come with me. No one knows to expect us, and we will have our dragons. It will be fine.”

Then his eyes finally fell to me. There was still no emotion in them as he proclaimed, “You’re coming with me as well.”

I blinked. “What?”

“You are coming with me,” he repeated.

I glanced at Harun, then back to Malik. “I can’t come with you . . . across the desert and on dragon back.”

He leaned back and folded his arms across his chest. “You’re not staying here. You were attacked by assassins in this very palace not long ago. And we still have no idea who is behind it. My leaving would be the perfect time for them to try again. I am not leaving you here without me.”

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