Page 44 of A Flame of the Phoenix

Snow flurried beautifully, only light, and not enough to gather, though some of the ground was frosted white.

“You’re still recovering,” Amaya fussed, creeping up to her.

Zaiana’s retort died when she beheld the black cloak the darkling extended with a warm smile. She slung it around her shoulders with ease as she kept her wings glamoured.

“I see you made a perfect recovery yourself,” Zaiana observed, remembering the weak state she’d found the darkling in inside the cell after months of imprisonment.

Amaya nodded, and under the added weight and warmth, Zaiana’s body wasn’t so rigid anymore.

“Yes. Maverick found a healer. We didn’t know if you would make it. At one point, you even stopped breathing, and Maverick, he?—”

Amaya paused, and so did Zaiana’s steps.

“He—what?”

Amaya shifted a look around as if he were lingering. Her head shook tendrils of loose black hair over her pale skin. “I’d never seen him so desperate for anything. He cast us all out, except for the healer, until you were stable again.”

Why he wanted her back so desperately she could only imagine. He must be Nether-bent on making sure they were tied there together in the end for eternal torment.

Was that really what she believed?

Zaiana shook her head to expel the thoughts of him and winced with the error that throbbed an ache. She pushed forward in distraction.

“Where’s Tynan?”

“He’s been stationed as Malin’s right hand, though I don’t think he’s thrilled with theesteemedposition.”

That arrogant bastard prince.

The title of “king” didn’t feel befitting for a coward who had a throne stolen for him. He was nothing more than another puppet for Marvellas.

“Dakodas is still here,” Amaya went on before she could ask. “Though she hasn’t imposed much. Malin has been ordering a send-out for traitors—any guard or warrior who didn’t make it out and refuses to swear allegiance to him.”

Zaiana could admire their loyalty. Even though hollow words in surrender to Malin would keep them safe, and even though their king was dead…these fae had chosen their allegiance to Faythe already.

She could hardly think of the impossible heir without flashbacks of their battle threatening to undo her. Zaiana was so weakened, both in body and mind. From Faythe and her insufferable companion. The brother who’d fled, and the other…

“Where is Izaiah?” Zaiana asked.

She would start with him to gather what she’d missed.

He was up to something, and Zaiana wanted to be the first to figure it out.

“I’m not sure. Malin often requests Tynan to keep an eye on him, but I don’t see either of them a lot. Tynan finds me before I find him, usually.”

“Zaiana.” Maverick’s sharp tone pricked at her back.

She didn’t stop walking despite Amaya’s wary gaze settling on her.

“Are you trying to force yourself out of commission for six more weeks by pushing yourself so soon?” he continued, creeping up to her.

“I’m walking, Maverick. Hardly in combat,” she drawled. Her body shivered at his proximity by her side. “Though if you keep antagonizing me, I’m willing to risk that.”

“Must you see everything as a rule to defy?”

“When it comes to you, yes. I find it keeps me motivated.”

He huffed dryly. “You’re impossible.”

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