Page 86 of A Flame of the Phoenix

“What else might you be hoping to do?” Dakodas prompted. It was laced with a warning. She didn’t like her instructions being passed or challenged.

“I was hoping you might have something of greater importance for me. Hunting the heir, perhaps.”

Dakodas leaned her head back against the tall throne with an arrogant smile. “You were rather proficient in that the last time, but I’m afraid that is already taken care of.”

She was growing dangerously impatient. Standing here like she was no better than the castle servants to be ordered around for petty work. Zaiana was a fighter. A strategist. A weapon. She couldn’t bear to be hung in these stolen halls as decoration any longer. With or without her magick, she was worth more than this.

“Very well,” she said, taming her temper.

Grabbing Tarly by the arm, she pushed him toward a side door, exchanging one last hateful glare with Maverick, more out of habit than anything.

She didn’t use any more force once they were marching down the halls, and the prince kept up. Even without her lightning, despite his head of height over her, she was confident she could put him down swiftly if he tried anything.

Zaiana led him down to the cells, making sure no one followed.

“I guess a real bed was wishful thinking when handing myself over to the villains,” Tarly commented.

So the prince had humor.

“The pretty words of a runaway prince are not going to be bought so easily.”

“You must be Zaiana.”

What a fool he was.

She didn’t answer. Not until they’d ventured far below and she knew no guards were lingering nearby. Zaiana opened a cell, and Tarly walked right in like an obedient dog. The moment he was inside, Zaiana slammed him to the wall.

“Exposing you know who I am wasn’t your first mistake,” she snarled at him. “It was coming here wrapped in the scent of the healer Nerida.”

Tarly’s eyes flared at her mention. He was protective of her, and Zaiana’s mind was reeling with that information.

“She mentioned you,” Tarly admitted.

“Last I saw her, she was with Faythe. I imagine that hasn’t changed, and so your lie in the throne room was very dangerous indeed.”

“Nerida spoke kindly of you. Can I trust you?”

She scoffed, pushing off him and pacing away for distance. “You’d be a fool to take my word for anything.”

“In better circumstances, yes.”

“Why did you come here? To spy for Faythe? You’re going to get yourself found out before you can tell her a thing.”

“I’m not here as a spy, and truly, it doesn’t matter what happens to me.”

“Noble of you.”

Tarly kicked at the dead helping of straw in the corner. “How long do my interrogations last before I’m free?”

She pursed her lips. He wasn’t what she expected. “That won’t be up to me.”

“It could be.”

“Did you hope I’d be an ally to you? Whatever Nerida might have said, her heart is too soft to see kindness where it doesn’t reside.” Zaiana didn’t want to care, but she also found herself inquiring, “Where is she now?”

“I’m not sure. Heading to Lakelaria, perhaps. Or with Faythe in pursuit of Reylan.”

He’d divulged that information to her too easily. Recklessly. It riled her even though it was to her advantage.

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