Page 122 of The Incendiary

I threw my head back and laughed while turning away. I wasn’t jealous. Not even a little bit. I was exhausted and wanted to slip beneath my bedsheets and let Gavin’s sweater swallow me whole.

Before I did that, I waited for Elias to go back inside and snuck off to the stables where I found a brown stallion with an infected leg. I brushed my hand along the horse’s side and whispered gentle, loving words while using Viridian’s power to get rid of the infection. I left the wound only partially healed so that when Elias checked on it in the morning, he wouldn’t find anything suspicious.

After I stumbled into my bed, dizzy and weak from healing the poor horse, I fell asleep praying I would dream of Gavin Smyth.

THIRTY-THREE

ARYELLA

It takes most warriors years to learn how to put a powerful man on his knees.

It only takes you a single look.

—EXCERPT FROM THE BUTCHER OF NYRIDA’S LAST KNOWN LETTERS TO QUEEN ARYELLA I

For the Reverie Ball, the courtyard and main hall were transformed into masterpieces of vibrant color. Massive bouquets of twelve different types of flowers—one for each of the gods—were placed according to the order of the months, starting with Nevelin’s ice represented by sky-blue hydrangea, a rainbow of colors in between, and ending with dark purple and black violets for Nyxar.

The twins told me it was customary to pick a specific god to honor by choosing one flower and wearing it for the evening. In addition to honoring the Selvaren, it was a way to disperse the joyful color and liven up the atmosphere.

The ball itself was being held inside the hall. Mavic had assisted some of the cadets in moving tables to the sides and opening the main floor for dancing. While he showered off the sweat of physical labor, Mina finished readying my hair in loose curls that felt like silk on my shoulders.

The gown Gemma sent was more revealing than I thought. Curves that had begun to form while recovering from starvation were now fully fledged and hugged by the black fabric. My breasts were held firmly in place by the thick silk straps of the dress, but the visible skin between them was excessive. The bodice was sparkly and sheer, the skirt layered with lace and silk.

The only eyesore was the bandage on my forearm from being swiped by the spiked tail during the second test. Mina managed to match it to my dress by wrapping black fabric around the cloth bandage and tying it off in a bow.

“The commander is going to fall over when he sees you,” Mina giggled. “You look stunning.”

“So do you,” I answered, smiling. “You look like an angel.”

She really did. Her fire-red curls were wrapped in a stunning updo, a few strands strategically loose to frame her soft face. The light blue silk of her dress made her pale, freckled skin glow. Her genuine smile warmed the air around her. She looked ethereal.

We heard a low whistle in the doorway and turned to see Mavic, freshly showered and dressed, shirt unbuttoned and showing off his leanly muscular form. His hair was still a damp mess Mina would insist on combing.

“I always try to tell her.” Mavic shook his head and sighed. “She never believes me.”

“Why would I believe my brother when he tells me I’m pretty?”

“Why wouldn’t you?” he retorted, closing the door behind him. “I’m not afraid to tell you when you have a pimple or a booger in your nose. Why would I lie about this? I fear I’m not even going to be able to enjoy myself tonight. I’ll have to stay on guard the entire time. I’m even considering bringing my sword to fend off anyone trying to take you to their bed.”

She laughed as a blush crept up her neck. “I highly doubt anyone will try to take me to their bed.”

“Not if I bring my sword.”

I drowned them out as they bickered about random and inconsequential things. It brought them comfort, I think, to revert to something familiar.

The cool spring breeze drifted in through the open window, and I watched as dressed-up cadets excitedly mulled about beneath the fading sun and brightening torchlight. The chatter and laughter were contagious, but I kept thinking I should be somewhere else, looking for him.

I rubbed the cold, achy spot to the left of my chest, trying to soothe it with friction and warmth. It had been there since the second test, and I was starting to think I should have Abram check whether I’d strained something. I even tried to heal whatever afflicted me there, but it didn’t work.

“It’s time.” Mina dragged me outside to watch our peers gather in front of the main hall. The festivities began just after sundown. Since discovering I was the queen, the twins often put me between them, despite my objections, as if defending me. I switched my boots for heels once we passed through the gravel courtyard and stopped before the long row of flowers where we were meant to choose one for the evening.

“Who will you honor tonight?” Mina asked.

I had already decided to pick Helios, the month he was born. The thought of him, and fire and heat, soothed the ache in my chest just a little. It was the month that the gods brought the one person into the world who sacrificed everything to ensure I wouldn’t be alone.

I reached for an orange fire-lily and held back my tears. Mina and I tucked our flowers behind our ears while Mavic fastened his in his lapel.

We entered the hall, and my vision burst with color. Bouquets were everywhere—in the rafters, on windowsills, hanging from baskets, and adorning the walls in sconces. The strong floral smell combined with the heat of a few hundred bodies, was heady, delectable, and overwhelming all at once.