Page 22 of A Blaze of Fire
He whipped his head in my direction and gave me an incredulous look. “You think I’m acting like this because I’m in love? You’re wrong on that front, brother. As usual.”
I chuckled, then leaned back on my elbows and looked at my brother, ready to hear all the ways I didn’t understand him or his motives. “Oh, really? Enlighten me, then.”
He scoffed. “I don’t have to tell you anything.”
I laughed. “I thought so. There’s no shame in being in love. Especially with a halfling. I’m sure Mom will accept her. Not so sure about Dad.”
“Don’t you ever get tired of hearing your own voice?”
“Nope,” I replied, making the p pop. “I love the sound of my voice and I’m going to make sure you hear it forever,” I whispered.
“You’re so annoying.”
“And you’re out of your league.” I looked back out to sea. “You came here rushing in like a hopped-up white knight when in reality, you’re messing up the whole plan.”
“I don’t need protecting, Alec,” he offered dryly.
“Yes, you do!” I nearly shouted. With great effort, I lowered my voice and turned to my infuriating younger brother. “If the Queen finds out about your little fling with Violet, it’ll be the chopping block for both of you and you know it! You’re so obsessed with Violet you’re not thinking straight.”
Sometimes Ansel made me so angry. I shouldn’t care. If he wanted to get himself killed, that was his problem. But still…
“You’re right,” he finally mumbled, bringing his knees to his chest and lowering his head. “I’m not thinking straight.”
I peered over at him, unsure how to react to a docile Ansel.
“I just don’t want her to get hurt,” he whispered. “She deserves better than the life she’s been dealt.”
“Ansel, relax. The girl hasn’t had a shitty life. And look – for a halfling, she’s being treated as a High Fae. I gotta admit, she has a pretty sweet life.” I grinned and leaned back, letting the dwindling sun warm my face.
Ansel rolled his eyes. “The girl’s name is Violet, and she’s been led to think she’s crazy most of her life. If that’s not a shitty upbringing, I don’t know what is.”
“Fine. So she was insane until recently. But we cured her.” I shrugged nonchalantly. “Now she’sLady Violet. Get it right.” I nudged him.
He sighed. “How is she … adapting to life here?”
I couldn’t help the grin that slipped over my face. “She’s hanging in there. Violet is tougher than you think. Don’t underestimate her and don’t treat her like a fragile, breakable thing that needs saving. She can handle herself pretty well.” I wasn’t just saying that to set his mind at ease; I truly believed it. And once Violet gained her powers, she’d be unstoppable. She wouldn’t need either of us to fight her battles.
“I don’t treat her like that.” Ansel almost seemed affronted.
I threw my head back and laughed. “Yes you do, brother. And trust me, Lady Violet De La Rosa is far from breakable.”
* * *
I partedways with my brother to give him time to get settled in his new room. I noticed it was situated on the other side of the castle and as far away from Violet as possible. Whether it was intentional or not, I wasn’t sure. But it put Ansel in a foul mood.
My room, on the other hand, was right next door to Violet’s and provided me a chance to keep an eye on her.
I was on my way back to my room when a messenger approached with a note. I nodded my thanks and opened it immediately.
Meet me in the weapons room. -Kazimir
Damnit. I stuffed the note in my pocket and hurried down the hallway in the opposite direction of our bedrooms and toward the underground stairwell that led to the weapons room. The stairwell was dimly lit by guttering torches, and I grimaced at the dampness as I cautiously made my way down. I passed several closed doors before reaching the weapons room. The door was open and Kazimir was standing in the center, waiting.
“You rang?” I entered casually, stuffing my hands in my pockets to hide the nerves.
“The girl … Her first element emerged today.” He slid his finger across a wickedly sharp blade, testing its tip.
My eyes widened slightly, surprised I hadn’t heard this from Violet herself. Why didn’t she tell me? Then again, she was probably taken aback by Ansel’s arrival.
