Page 89 of Shadows and Flames
My cheeks ached with how hard I smiled, trying to force away the discomfort. Just like Meline, I loathed being called by my royal title. Hers, the Warrior Queen, was worse because it was inaccurate but notorious. Mine was very much real, hollow but also filled with expectations.
“Technically. However, Versillia was burning last we were there, so who knows?” A stupid giggle escaped at the end, obfuscating the tragedy of our flight from my homeland.
Fenix’s pale cheeks flushed. Not with a complete blush, but the best he could muster, and it made my uncomfortable laughter reverberate that much longer. Oh, Goddess, he would certainly be parting ways with us as soon as we returned to our realm, now.
“Um—how are you feeling? Is your injury healed well?” As if I hadn’t checked it before we disembarked in Vharas. At least my cousin was no longer screeching while her Shadow rearranged her insides. If these Folk did not send off every innate defensive sense within my body, I would have sought out some local to provide adequate distraction.
“Oh, yes. Thank you, again. I…I would not be here if not for you.”
Such words were common when you practiced healing magic, but it always left me feeling happy, to be appreciated for a craft I’d spent many hours honing. “You’re quite welcome, Fenix. Like I said, I’m glad you’re here.”
He snorted. “Fairly certain you’re the only one who feels such a way.”
The words rang with something, like the sentiment wasn’t limited to just those in our party on this journey. “I hope that’s not true, but if it is, I’m more than happy to stand on my own.” In this, at least.
Fenix parted his lips to say something else, but before he could, Tomás exited the lodging house, mouth cracked open with a large yawn. Once his jaws were able to snap shut, a sly smile spread on his face, and my irritation took hold. Anxieties aside, Fenix and I were having a perfectly pleasant evening. Or, as much as could be had when the whole of Pyrestan would probably jump at the chance to eat his flesh.
“Well, don’t you two make a lovely pair,” the Shadow mused, but I was not impressed. Petty schoolground prodding would not get a rise out of me.
Fenix, on the other hand… “Finally grow tired of the show and your right hand?”
Tomás’s features screwed in disgust. “That’s my brother, you know.”
And she was my cousin, but—“Didn’t you two have a…past, though?”
“You mean did me and Nogón used to fuck?” Tomás shrugged and sat between Fenix and me. “Of course, but two bossy ones in the bedroom growssotiresome. Wouldn’t you say?” He rested his chin on his fist, batting his lashes at Fenix.
I would have to pull him aside and warn him that the best way to deal with Tomás was to not let him pull you into his antics. “Wouldn’t I say what?”
“What’s your preference, lad? Males, females, other genders? Everyone?” As far as what I’d witnessed spewing from Tomás’s mouth, the question was one of the most reasonable I’d heard.
“Like that’s any of your concern!”
Tomás tsked. “Lad, we might be dead tomorrow as we attempt to spring a Lylithan in full Frenzy from the clutches of a cannibalistic queen with wings. Talk of sex is one of the few entertainments we have left, aside from fucking each other outright.”
I kneaded my knuckle between my brows. If he softened his approach, he would bemuchmore likely to spare others from quickly reaching exasperation. But, who was going to teach him an entirely new way of being? Not I.
“For example, I prefer males but have been known to dabble with others when the mood strikes. And you, Tana?”
“I never thought I would say this, but we have that in common, it seems.”
“Oh, yes, I remember our hunt. Wild thing, aren’t you? What about you, Fenix?”
We both turned to the Vyrkos, and, okay, perhaps I also agreed with Tomás that this was an engaging distraction. Fenix ran another hand through his hair, looking close to biting at Tomás, but he then glanced at me and changed course. He swallowed. “I…”
“Oh, Godyx, are you inexperienced? Or uninterested in sex entirely? I’ve met a few who are, if that’s the?—”
“Would you just—I am neither,” he said so clearly, deliberately. “I prefer females but?—”
“But, what?”
“If you would let me bloody finish a thought! I wastryingto say that I’ve not been with any who are not human.”
“Oh. Well, you aren’t poorly looking, as long as you keep your mouth shut. Are you interested in females exclusively? If not, I can show you what it’s like to be with someone who you don’t have to fear you’ll break.”
Fenix did more of that sputtering, blushing and scooting further away from us until the armrest of the bench halted his movements. But I’d seen when Tomás was exhibitingactualflirtation. His voice would smooth to a predatory point.
This was him keeping the conversation light and teasing, trying to give Meline and Elián privacy while also keeping our thoughts away from the real possibility of casualties tomorrow. If Queen Sarya proved to be as vicious as we suspected.
