Page 136 of A Flame of the Phoenix

“With the rebellion flooding these halls…you declare me your enemy right in front of him. I’ll flee with him.”

“No,” Tallia said immediately, launching to her feet. Anger firmed her face. “What was any of it for if you justrunagain?”

Tauria winced at that blow. “You have to trust I have a plan that benefits Fenstead after that point.”

Tallia huffed a humorless laugh. “You think I’d agree to let our greatest asset, ourqueen,sacrifice herself on a whim?”

All Tauria could see was a giant chessboard. Yes, she was the queen, and she was damned good at chess.

“You have to trust me. As your queen, this is my order.”

She called for Edith to help her change, and while she distracted the serpent in this castle, her people would cut off the heads that lurked in the corners.

Tauria stood outside Mordecai’s chosen room in her castle. It was a grand guest room in the east quarter, while he’d assigned her to the west quarter. She began to doubt her plan to keep him interested in her tonight when she realized he’d hardly shown an interest in her company at all.

Since seeing him with Dakodas, she had her suspicions that his ambitions were set far higher than just becoming the King of Fenstead.

Tauria straightened her poise and knocked gently.

Every footstep approaching from the other side of the door thumped her heart higher up her throat. When the door swung open and Mordecai stood in front of her, she resisted an instant urge to bolt away at the sight.

He was far less put together than she’d ever seen him. No jacket, just a plain shirt with open ties at the top to expose the top contours of his chest. No neatly combed hair—it was messy, as though he’d run his hands through the shoulder-length tresses many times tonight. She’d disturbed him in a rare moment of relaxation. It painted him in a light she wantedto snuff out. So…ordinarily dark fae. Though his wings were glamoured.

“I wasn’t informed you were planning to visit me tonight,” he said.

The awareness of his current vulnerable state seemed to register in him. He stood straighter, his face firmed harshly, as if to compensate for the roguish appearance.

“I didn’t know I would come myself,” she said, having to take a moment to swallow against her drying throat. “Until I found myself lonely tonight.”

Tauria put all her effort into taming her heartbeat.

His expression relaxed in surprise. “I see. Well, I am glad you came to me. Would you like to join me?”

Mordecai stepped aside, inviting her into his most private space. Tauria smiled, gliding in easily, even though everything in her rebelled at the mere thought of being sealed in intimate quarters with the ruthless, unpredictable high lord.

When the door clicked shut, the game began.

Inside his rooms, she didn’t expect the calmness the space invoked. She thought it was the familiar layout she knew—most guest rooms were the same. He’d even kept the accents of green, and the room was perfectly preserved in Fenstead style. She’d half-expected he would destroy the decor and make his living space match the vicious turmoil that lived within him.

She discovered she must have interrupted some kind of study, as there were papers and charcoal strewn around the small table in front of the fire between two low-set armchairs. Tauria gravitated in that direction, trying to catch a glimpse inconspicuously.

Tauria stiffened when Mordecai brushed by her. At the table, he shuffled a few papers, which piqued Tauria’s curiosity. She looked away as though disinterested, however. Giving herattention to the balcony, her nerves bubbled as she stared at the moon that was just a fraction off being full tomorrow night.

“Does something trouble you to inspire a restless night?” Mordecai asked, more gently than she was accustomed to.

“Our nation lingers on the cusp of war—it makes all nights restless, anticipating when battle might break.”

She trod carefully but tried to coax some intel from him.

“I’m sorry that troubles you. But rest assured, the war is not your burden.”

Tauria gritted her teeth, insulted by that.

“It is,” she said. “What are your burdens? I wish to share.”

Mordecai gravitated closer, not breaking their stare. Tauria had come prepared, though it twisted her gut with guilt and betrayal to Nik to be luring Mordecai into her web by subtle seduction.

“You need not concern yourself. Everything is going to plan.”

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