Fireblood (Fireblood 1)

“Well,” she says, pulling her hand onto her lap. “I will have the kitchen make up a steaming batch of chicken broth, and we can do your fitting in your room.” She nods to herself, as if mentally checking off more on her to-do list.

My chest swells with affection for her. “Madity.” She looks at me, coming out of her heavy thoughts. “Thank you.”

Her face beams. “I’ll bring your broth up shortly. Do you need the castle physician? I’ll have someone run into town to visit the apothecary. We’ll need medicines.” Her face waxes over, paling against the light. “Oh, dear. I forgot.”

I bolt upright. “Is Mr. Levine—”

“Shh.” She presses a finger over her thin mouth, quieting me. “Nay, princess. I simply forgot. But someone has surely taken up the apothecary shop. I’ll send a messenger to get medicines.”

My hope deflates. Even though I saw his torture with my own eyes, having seen my father after thinking him dead…I thought it possible.

“Nay.” I scoot back against the wooden headboard. “It’s only a simple bout of fever, Madity. Nothing severe.” Her features relax. I run my hands down my face, rubbing the exhaustion in my muscles away. “I’m just drained from all the events and tasks.”

“Yes, I suppose so.” She stands, straightens her gray servant’s tunic, and heads toward the door. Before she exits, she turns and says, “And horseback lessons.” She shakes her head. “I told you not to take that on. But I believe that is what the prince loves most about you, your willfulness.” Her eyes slant as she searches my face. “And Sir Devlan, I suppose, enjoys having a headstrong charge, too.”

I open my mouth, but before I can think how to respond, she bows and leaves through the door. For a skittish maid, she is far wiser than I’ve given her credit for. I don’t fear she will act on her assumptions, though. I feel she cares for me. I only pray that my actions don’t harm her in any way.

* * *

I sleep for most of the day. After soaking in the warm bath Madity prepared and downing two bowls of chicken broth, I do feel better. Sebastian checked in once, concern etched in the corners of his eyes, but welcomed my illness by way of an explanation for my absence at breakfast.

Remembering the prince’s declaration in the garden, his accepted challenge of gaining my affections, I suppose he’s unwilling to consider that I may not want his company…but maybe his arrogance will work in our favor for discovering his level of involvement in Hart’s schemes.

The afternoon light seeps in through the thick curtains of my dormer window, and I feel I must make an appearance. Devlan hasn’t come to check on my recovery or contacted me on the communicator. I wonder if he fears I’ve already botched the mission, and is off making plans to flee.

Maybe he’s simply giving me time to digest everything. I know he kept things from me, afraid I couldn’t handle them. If I’d tried to cram one more shred of information into my head last night, I would’ve had a breakdown. They’d have hauled me away to the Oubliette instead of feeding me broth.

Now, it’s time. I need to seek out Devlan, piece together the missing parts of the puzzle, and discover what role Sebastian plays. I’m at least thankful King Hart is hidden away. If I had to face him, I would snap.

As soon as I’m dressed and have all my important items in place—dagger strapped to thigh, communicator in bodice, locket around neck, crown atop head—I feel armed and ready to initiate my mission. I only wish I had a small portrait of my father to carry with me also, but that would be even riskier than the dagger.

I think back on the moment Devlan told me my father was incinerated, and I feel manipulated. I understand he didn’t know whether he could trust me with this much knowledge. But if he was planning to groom me into an assassin, he could’ve at least given me a shred of hope rather than allowing me to believe my father had burned to ashes, when, in reality, my father was being taken away to a dark and barren world.

Although the Virus having turned my father into a mindless slave is close enough to death. He was never coming back to me, either way. Now I have a chance

to change that.

I need to know more about Outside. I need to know exactly how the Virus works, and what awaits the Taken. I need to understand everything.

Once I leave my quarters, I slink down the hallways toward the atrium. I feel so out of place, more so than on the first day of my arrival. I fear the sound of every footstep will give me away. Moving silently, I endeavor to become invisible.

I fail at my attempt and am greeted from behind by Sebastian. “Zara,” he says, surprise in his voice.

I jolt and turn to face him. “Sebastian. You startled me.”

He walks up to me and takes one of my hands in his. “You seem to be feeling much better, and your face is full of color.” He kisses the top of my hand.

My lips twitch, and my hand trembles in his grasp. “I am feeling better, thank you.” I try to act casual, force my lips into a smile, but it’s difficult to meet his eyes without thinking of my father.

“Shall we?” He sweeps his hand before me, and I walk beside him. “Where’s Devlan? It’s unlike him to shirk his duties.”

Panic spurs my chest. I want to cover for the first knight, as I’m sure he’s carrying out Rebel duties, but I don’t want to get caught in a lie. Covering for him would look too suspicious, and Devlan managed before I came along. “I relieved him this morning when I thought I’d be down for the day.”

“Right. That makes sense.” He smiles. “I like the thought of having you to myself at the moment anyway.” He winks.

I try to conceal the tremor of my body, hold back the accusations wanting to rip from my mouth, and look ahead as we near the back hall. Loud bangs and shouts echo off the stone walls. I squint, looking past the lower level of the castle. People are milling around, carrying boards and tools.

“What…?” I start to say, but then see the half-built stands. “The tournament.”