Page 148 of Elemental Becoming

Garrick chuckles as he claps his friend on the back. Thane grins, placing a hand on Garrick’s shoulder.

Garrick raises his brows. “Does this mean the execution is off?” he asks.

I smile, glad to see Thane forgiving his brother for interrupting us the other morning.

“Yes,” Thane says with a laugh. “Two days of banishment wasenough.”

“So.” Lyra clasps her hands together, practically vibrating with excitement. “What did she say? Did she try to fight you? Did you challenge her to a duel?”

“Ly—”

“No, wait—didyouthreaten her? Please tell me you threatened her.”

“Lyra.”

“Come on, I need details, Mara. This is the best thing to happen all night.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “It was . . . fine.”

Lyra gasps dramatically, placing a hand over her heart like I’ve just betrayed her personally.

“It was fine?” she repeats, horrified. “Oh, no. No, no, no. That’s not what I saw. I saw tension. I saw fire. I saw Amara making the former Lady of the Fire Clan sweat.”

Thane, clearly entertained, makes absolutely no attempt to save me.

I shoot him a glare.

He flashes a shameless smile.

I hate him.

(I love him.)

“Did she say anything awful?” Lyra presses, leaning in like we’re plotting a murder.

“She tested me,” I admit.

“Of course she did. And you passed, obviously.” Lyra scoffs dramatically. “That shrew. I’ll fight her in the courtyard.”

“Did I?” I ask dryly. “She still walked away with all her hair intact.”

“That is disappointing,” Lyra sighs heavily. “But I’ll allow it.” Her eyes narrow suddenly. “So? What did Thane do? Garrick pulled me away for staring so I missed that part.”

I blink. “What?”

“When he saw you two talking? Did he storm over and kiss you dramatically? Was there a fight? Did he throw her out of the castle?”

“Lyra—”

“Honestly, I’d be disappointed if none of those things happened.”

I sigh. “He just told her the conversation was over.”

Lyra taps a finger to her chin, considering. “Hmm. Efficient, I suppose. Less entertaining, though.”

“Sorry to disappoint you,” Thane murmurs, his lips curving into that one-sided smile that completely unravels me.

“You should be. But it’s fine, I’ll forgive you.”