Page 39 of Prince of Blaze and Embers
“How did you learn those things?” Cade had a nasty tone in his voice. “You learned how to use your magic against Rone and his ogre. How did you learn to do that?”
“Why don’t you start answering some of my questions first?” I shot back with the nastiest tone I could muster.
“Easy, Ash,” Bella muttered from behind me.
“You sure have a talent for getting under my skin, irritating me more than an itchy rash.”
I took a bit of pride in his words but was fighting hard to reel myself back in. He was being an awful prick about some things, but by Odiun, I wanted him. I wanted him so badly.
“We are trying to figure out how much more time we have here before others arrive,” he said through clenched teeth.
“Why?” The word came so quickly after his statement I felt his annoyance pulsate through the air toward me.
“Because I’m trying to save your life.”
“Why?” Again, my quick response made it seem like he was about to draw his massive sword and cut my head off from my shoulders, even after the context of his words.
“You don’t want your life saved?”
“Of course I do. But what do you care? Your mother is the queen, and she’s the ruler of all of Allovan. Why wouldn’t you just do as she ordered? You’re her finest warrior after all, right? Why stall the inevitable?” I hoped I knew the answer, but I didn’t want to say that in front of everyone.
“We flew the area and gathered that we think Rone was alone. He always hunted alone, hoping for a reward for bringing you tothe queen himself. She probably insisted on sending the Sythers just to make sure he didn’t fail. We assume he didn’t tell her where he was looking. He wouldn’t want competition from the other hunters.”
“Other hunters?” Bella breathed. “And how did Rone find her here?”
“I’m not sure…” Cade muttered with his chin tucked to his chest. “He was one of her finest, so he had his ways.” He sighed deeply, walking past me and facing the two dragons. “It matters not. His secrets died with him, and the slain Sythers of the queen won’t speak of our whereabouts.”
The way he walked right past me without a glance or the slightest touch made me feel as if he hated me. He hated me for causing him so much trouble. The kiss meant nothing to him, even though he said it did. Insecurity flared in me, and I shoved my hands in my pockets. Bella cupped the back of my arm gently.
“We’re safe here,” he said with his back to me. “But not for much longer. There’s something that’s making you trackable.
“Are there people who can track magic?” Bella let her arm slide down my arm and back to her side.
“Not like that. Not at great distance,” Hunter said, swaying his huge sword by swiveling its pommel at his hip. “The queen could, but not miles away. If you walked into a room with her… she’d know.”
“Thank you…” Bella said . “Thank you two for saving her out there in the woods.”
The Blaze Prince spun, lit aflame by those words. He was angry; menacing even. His fists were balled with veins bulging, and his eyebrows forced down. “If you wouldn’t have gone out into the forest, exactly like I told you not to do, then we would’ve sensed Rone and his convoy early. We could’ve had Krakos and Talonor get to the skies to fight them from above.”
At the top of the prince’s fist, on the underside of his arm, Isaw a long, fresh gash stuffed with some herbs. It was red, swollen, and awful to look at.
“You’re hurt…” I said, half-embarrassed I hadn’t seen it before, when we were alone.
He turned his arm over, hiding the wound. “I’m fine.”
“Let me see it,” I walked toward him in front of everyone, with my hands out, eager to help.
“Stop!” The shadow returned in him, darkening the man I wanted. “Do not touch me…”
I halted in my stride, fingers stricken, and my mouth left agape. “I didn’t mean to… I just wanted to help.”
“I said I’m fine. It’s just a scratch. And I don’t need your help.”
“Cade…” I muttered .
“You wanted to know what’s going on? Well, now you know.” The steam in his voice could’ve melted ice. “We’re good here for now. So do me a favor and stop causing all these issues.”
My lips flapped before I sensed I should’ve just nodded. “But if I hadn’t gone into the forest, then I wouldn’t have been able to find my Gilded Radiance. You can’t just coop me up; I need to learn to use my magic if I’m going to live. I can’t just be your prisoner.”
