Page 122 of A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash

‘Lift your arm up slightly.’

‘It hurts keeping it up like that.’ She let her arm drop in frustration.

Kai chuckled. ‘Fighting is costly on the body, princess. Strolling around gardens will not keep you fit enough to fight.’

She pursed her lips. It was true—her muscles ached from even the simplest of postures. Unlike the wyverians, she was hardly ever allowed on the back of a beast, steering it through storm and fire. Her only exertion had been the graceful, delicate walks permitted by her mother’s watchful eye.

‘And perhaps you ought to find other clothes,’ Kai suggested. ‘Training in a tight bodice and long skirts will not help.’

‘I do not have any other clothes,’ Alina said. ‘I do not possess a separate wardrobe with shirts and trousers. I have never worn anything but long gowns and tight corsets.’

‘Very well, I will lend you mine.’ He shrugged as if such a proposition was anything but indecent. She couldn’t wear his clothes! ‘I’ll bring an extra shirt tomorrow for you.’

‘I cannot wear your clothes.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because…’ She fumbled for an excuse. ‘They will be far too large on my frame.’

His smirk deepened. ‘Or perhaps you are worried that by wearing my clothes you will feel me on your skin, princess. That would be rather tempting, wouldn’t it?’

‘I do not believe so,’ she replied a little too harshly, ‘seeing as though you find the mere thought of kissing me repulsive. I do not see how I would find myself tempted by a man that finds me displeasing.’

His jaw dropped.

The temple bellstolled in the distance, their chimes rolling over the land like a decree from the heavens themselves. Alina turned towards the sound, her heart pounding with sudden urgency. Midday.

Her brother was expected to stand before the court, before the gathered nobility of every kingdom, and utter an apology for striking the phoenixian prince. Alina clenched her jaw.

She had no time to waste. Ash would need her.

‘Alina, I—’

‘I must leave.’ She thrust the sword back into Kai’s hands and reached for her golden cloak. ‘My brother’s speech will begin promptly and I must see him beforehand.’

‘Surely your brother can give a speech without you, princess.’

Alina fastened the cloak, bristling. ‘My brother…’ she hesitated, her hands tightening around the fabric. She could not betray Ash’s secret. ‘He needs me.’

Kai snorted.

‘What?’ Alina hissed.

‘Nothing.’ Kai shrugged. ‘Go, run off to hold his hand.’

‘How dare you. You understand absolutely nothing!’

‘I understand nothing?’ His eyes blazed with fury. ‘Because all I ever see is you running off to help your brother. You are at his beck and call, day and night. And my question to you is, who takes care ofyou?’

Alina faltered. She had never been asked that before. Her lips parted, but no words came. Until—

‘He is my brother. This is what siblings do for each other. If you wyverians are incapable of understanding such a thing, I pity you!’

Kai sighed, his anger dissolving into something sadder, something heavier. ‘Inever said you should not help your brother, princess. However, when others clip off your wings and do not allow you to fly, perhaps then it is time to reconsider.’ He pointed at the weapons. ‘Why did you ask me to train you? Your brother is as fierce a warrior as I am. You could have asked him to help.’

‘Well, because he’s…’ Alina hesitated, staring at the sack of weapons. The truth sat heavy in her throat. ‘My brother is to be the next Fire King. He has duties that he must uphold regularly.’

Kai laughed. ‘I’m sure he does. Though, most of the time I see him hiding away from everyone or training in the yards with his men.’

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