Page 68 of A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash

‘Do they only have fire when they are about to die?’

‘No, no.’ Zahian shook his head, laughing. ‘Those are just tales. Ours can summon their flames if they wish. But usually only for battle. Though, when they are about to die, they turn to ash… and are reborn again.’

A chair scraped against the stone floor.

The sound was sharp, cutting through their conversation like a blade. Mal turned her head just in time to see Ash dragging his chair from across the hall. He placed it on the other side of her table, sat, and stared.

Zahian did not move. He simply leaned back, spreading his legs open comfortably, his red eyes flashing with mischief.

‘Something wrong?’ Mal asked.

Ash shook his head.

Zahian smirked, then turned back towards Mal, tilting his head until his lips were just a breath away from hers.

‘I believe the prince wishes to learn about my kingdom,’ he said. Mal’s attention fell to Zahian’s lips, a mistake. The air in the room thickened.Heat swelled, a suffocating weight, coiling around her throat.

She turned towards Ash.

His golden eyes burnt—not with fire, but with something close to anger.

Mal exhaled slowly, leaning back, creating a sliver of space between herself and the phoenixian. The heat lessened as Ash’s shoulders relaxed, but only slightly.

Zahian, undeterred, reached for her hand, fingers brushing against her skin.

‘Do you wish to dance?’

‘No, she doesn’t,’ Ash grunted.

Both men stood. A table was all that separated them.

The tension was a living thing.

And then—

Kai appeared.

Mal barely had time to sigh before her troublesome brother took in the scene, sniffed the air dramatically, and pulled a face.

‘It smells like testosterone.’ He grinned at her. ‘Mal, why don’t you come along and dance with your dear brother.’ He extended an arm.

Mal did not hesitate. She took his offer and slipped away from the princes, casting one last glance over her shoulder.

‘What is wrong with the Fire Prince?’ she muttered as they moved onto the dance floor.

Kai snorted. ‘Well, sister, I’ll explain.’ He twirled her. ‘Men do not like other men sniffing what’s theirs.’

Mal stomped on his foot.Hard.

‘I am not his.’

Kai winced. ‘I am glad to hear you haven’t fallen enraptured by his golden good looks.’ He arched a brow. ‘Or have you?’

Mal lifted her chin.

‘I do not fall so easily, brother.’

The banquet hall was unlike the other places they had celebrated. It was smaller, moreintimate,its walls lined with vines dotted with soft, glowing lights. The arches on one side led into the gardens, where the night air carried the faint sound of waves crashing in the distance.

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