Page 106 of A Crown of Tears and Treason
Except for the markings, the bedroom only had the lush carpet, his sword on top of a low cabinet, a training mannequin in the corner, and the bed.
“Your room isn’t what I expected.”
“Thinking of my room, were you?” he murmured.
“Until today, I hadn’t even cared where you lived.” Which was true. Weird, but true. “What’s with the massive bed?”
It made up for all the missing pieces in the room. It had panels on all sides, with a filigree design carved in the wood, and a large round opening to get in and out. Silken fabrics cascaded around it, making it feel like a luxurious cocoon.
“Royal indulgence. I like my space.” He fell onto his back and stretched his arms above his head. He didn’t even reach the headboard.
“Ten people can sleep here and not touch.”
“I believe the point of being in the same bedistouching.”
The blaze in my cheeks crawled down my neck. “Why do you insist on saying things like that?”
He rose quickly. I blinked and we were suddenly face to face. “Maybe I like seeing you blush.”
I gulped.
I should leave. I should leave. I should lea–
“The true question is,” he murmured, breath ghosting across my lips. “Why doImake you blush?”
A crackling tension rose around us, thick and brimming with so many what ifs.
So close.
So dangerously close.
A bang resounded on the window. It didn’t shatter the glass, but it smashed whatever that moment between me and Zandyr had been. Our heads whipped toward it at the same time.
Another bang.
Someone was throwing…rocks?
We hurried to the window and barely dodged another rock. Leaning down, we saw a furious Adara getting ready to throw another one.
“Didn’t we agree you’d leave after I got in?” I whisper-yelled.
“I did the rounds and spied all entry and exit points.” Adara still didn’t lower her hand; it looked like she was debating throwing the rock straight at Zandyr’s head. “Who’s going to escort you back home, hmm?”
“I will,” Zandyr said. “After I reveal her surprise.”
“What surprise?” I asked.
Zandyr winked. “The kind you need to see to believe.”
“Godsdamn, it’s started.” Way down below, Adara sighed. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Dragon.”
They shared a solemn nod before Adara vanished between the trees.
“Thank you,” I called after her, before turning to Zandyr. “Whatsurprise?”
Chapter
Thirty-Three
