A Promise of Fire

You’re as merciless as I am. You just hide it better.”

“We’re both ruthless when we have to be. It makes us a good match.”

I shake my head. “There should always be someone humane in the mix, to keep the other one in line.”

Don’t do anything stupid,” I mumble sleepily. “Like die.”

He nods gravely, tying the straps on his leather bag. “I’ll scratch that off the list, then.”

I trust you,” Griffin says.

Those three words squeeze all the air from my lungs. I don’t deserve his trust. “Why?”

“Because I want to.”

“That’s idiotic!” I cry, ready to pull my hair out and wail. Protecting this family is going to be like trying to stop a Cyclops with nothing but a stick

“It’s useless,” I croak. “Give up.”

Griffin pins me with a steady gaze. “Never.”

My insides somersault, drop, and combust. Never give up on me? Does he mean that? “Why? I’m not that pretty, I’m a huge pain in the ass, and people around me usually die.”

Griffin laughs, and right then he’s so compelling, so utterly unafraid of all the things that terrify me, that I want to jump on him and kiss him until my lips bruise.

“You think I’m kidding?” I demand. “You. Will. Die.”

“Worried about me?” He winks, and I see red. “And Cat? Modesty doesn’t suit you. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

look at Griffin. “A lot will be riding on you, on your welcoming the nobles with a wolf’s smile. They need to know you’ll rip their throats out if they cross you.” I can’t help adding, “It shouldn’t be too hard. Just act like usual.”

“Like this?” He gives me a ferocious grin that’s all teeth.

I roll my eyes. “Yes, exactly like that.”

Everything is more efficient closer to the magic.”

“Including you?” Griffin asks.

“I’m efficient everywhere.”

“And modest, as usual,” Carver says, tipping his full wineglass in my direction. He sets it down again without drinking.

I incline my head in acknowledgment. “Lovely to see you again, Carver. Your existence had completely slipped my mind.”

She’ll kill anyone who gets in her way.”

“I’ll fight her with you.”

“You can’t. You’ll die.”

He shakes his head. “I won’t let her take you from me.”

I glance at the sky.

Kato squints up with me. “What are we looking for?”

“Lightning bolts. Punishment for our overwhelming arrogance.”

You’ll stay behind the castle walls, and that’s final.” His storm-cloud eyes flash until I think I’ll hear thunder.

“Calm the lightning bolts. There’s no reason I can’t stay in the city.”

“No reason?” He starts ticking off so-called reasons on his fingers. It takes both hands. “At the castle, I can keep an eye on you. I’ll know where you are. Carver can keep an eye on you. I won’t have to waste time looking for you. Flynn can keep an eye on you. When I need you, you’ll already be there. Kato can keep an eye on you. You won’t get dragged off without anyone even knowing about it. And, especially, I can keep an eye on you!”

“You already said that. It was point number one in a long list of inanity.”

I’ll protect myself.”

His midnight eyebrows slam down, so I wave an ungracious hand in the air. “You can help, if I need you.”

He grunts. “How generous.”