Page 114 of A Flame of the Phoenix

With that, the queen made to leave, and Zaiana was left bemused and beyond frustrated.

“What is the meaning of all of this?” she hissed to Reylan, since it was his instruction to cross the sea with Faythe and Kyleer.

“We got them to our destination,” he said simply.

“And now what? We let them roam free?”

“No. Keep him in chains. I’ve got an eye on Faythe until the queen requests our presence later. Keep yours on him.”

Zaiana was itching to sink her claws into his eyes so he couldn’t keep them on anything. She observed how Faythe wasn’t chained anymore, nor did it look like he was going to replace the chains. Zaiana took it as an insult, implying she couldn’t handle Kyleer without incapacitating him.

Reylan steered a sour-looking Faythe Ashfyre toward the side exit, and Zaiana was at a complete loss over what in the Nether was happening. She’d never been in the middle of such confusing, disorganized mess.

“Disappointed they’re not ordering you to string me up and torment me?” Kyleer said in question as they stared after Reylan and Faythe. “Me too. I think we both could have enjoyed it.”

That snapped her glower to him. What was she supposed to do with him until their damned dinner party?

“Let’s go,” she said, shoving him toward the same door.

“I’ve never been to this castle. Have you?”

“No.”

“You don’t like the cold—that’s clear enough.”

“Who does?”

“Lakelarians, probably.”

Something had been bothering her that she hadn’t been able to place. Nothing about this situation felt right, and she was beginning to suspect she was the only clueless fool among several with a hidden agenda.

They curved down a hall that was deserted, and Zaiana pushed Kyleer against the wall.

“You didn’t appear the least bit concerned nor surprised to see Faythe just now, considering you had no idea what happened to her after the blast.”

“She’s powerful and smart—my concern isn’t needed.”

“You just hoped she would show up eventually? Bullshit.”

“What exactly is your accusation?”

There was an edge of amusement to his tone, twitching on his face too, which was boiling her anger. She was used to being a step ahead, knowing what others didn’t, and it was infuriating her to no end to feel two steps behind here.

“It’s not too late for you,” he said, barely a whispered breath, but it slammed into her with the weight of a rock.

“Are you really that pathetic?” she hissed. “Will it only take a dagger through your chest for you to accept I’m not on your side and never will be?”

“Why? What have they ever done for you?”

“No one has ever done anything for me.”

“Then why are you helping them?”

Maybe she didn’t even know that herself anymore.

“Stop trying to see if there’s redemption in me—there isn’t.”

“There’s a lot in you, Zai. There’s a soul you want to deny exists and a heart you want to forget could feel.”

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