House of Pounding Hearts (The Kingdom of Crows #2)(99)

“What is my friendship and forgiveness worth to you?”

“Everything.”

“Fabulous.” His grin broadens, lighting up the green irises that look so much lovelier on him than they look on any other earth-Fae.

Except for Nonna.

“First things first, you will disrobe and join me in the Baths.”

I gulp. “What?”

“You said you’d do anything. The first thing I want—since I just got here and want to hear all about Luce—is for you to macerate in this delightfully tepid water with me.”

I unbind my arms from around his waist and gape at the naked crowd. “I, um, I—”

“Let me help you out of your dress. Which, by the way, resembles a paper bag without the leather corset that goes over it.”

“I didn’t find a corset.”

“Did you look for one?”

“I preferred to look for you.”

“At least, you’re wearing Crow clothes.” He cocks an eyebrow. “Which begs the question . . . how long have you been back if you’ve had time to stop by your room for a change of clothes?”

“Apparently, I’ve been back a week.”

“A week?!” He sputters.

“I woke up only yesterday.”

“All right, you lost me.”

“I was shot with a poisoned arrow while sailing around the capital with Eponine.”

“I’m sorry . . . what?”

“Syb and I attended a lunch in Isolacuori where she ‘bonded’ with the Nebban princess.”

Phoebus blinks. “I’m sorry, what?”

I repeat all the words I just said, then add a few: the Meriam-carrot Eponine dangled over us which led to the shopping trip, which led to Syb’s boozy dinner idea, which led to the boat ride and the arrow through my thigh.

I’m about to tell him about Catriona but stop talking because his jaw keeps dropping and dropping, warning me that my friend’s brain is nearing dangerous overload.

“A royal gilding revel? You scored an invite to your former lover’s gilding revel?”

“Not just me.”

“And you planned on attending?”

“We did, until the wildling fiasco.”

“Gods, who are you and what did you do with my Fallon?”

I smile at being called his Fallon, but then my smile fades because I think of Catriona’s spoiled life. Dargento’s bladed features float across my friend’s beautiful face. However much I don’t want the former commander to intrude on my reunion, until his heart stops beating, he’ll forever be present.

I sigh. “I’ve more to tell you.”

“I bet, but let’s talk while we soak.” He nods to the fabric clinging to my body. “Dress off.”

“It’s already ruined. May as well swim in it.”

“You’ve got nothing half the people around here don’t have.”

I glance around the steam-filled grotto. Although Crow females aren’t as voluptuous as Faeries, they’re all strong. I’m both soft and bony, a conundrum that perplexed the seamstress in charge of my measurements for Eponine’s revel.

Even though I reminded myself that I was attending the party to murder a king, my cheeks had reddened at her remark.

“Pheebs, I—” I push away a lock of hair stuck to my cheek.

“You what?”

“I—I’m not comfortable getting naked in front of”—I bite my lip—“so many strangers.”

“A body is just flesh, Fal. Well, feathers for some, but at present, it’s predominantly skin, and we’re all made of skin.”

I gnaw on my lip.

“You’re beautiful, Fal. For a female.” He winks.

His attempt to put me at ease does nothing to settle my heart.

“Picolina, no one will judge you. Get rid of your blasted insecurities.”

“That’s not—”

“Really?” He tilts his face so low that his chin looks like it dents his long neck. “Look me in the eye and tell me that’s not the reason you’re not shedding your frock.”

“You’re right. It is.” Resolve makes me snatch the hem of my dress and pull it up and over my head.

“Good girl.”

My cheeks burn as the moist air envelops my bared skin. I kick off my slippers, then, tongue swiping incessantly at my lower lip, I hook my thumbs into the band of my underwear and roll them off.





“I can’t believe I’m bathing naked in public.” My awed whisper is gulped by the hiss of steam and splash of water.

Phoebus has his head propped on the stone lip of one of the smallest pools. “Doesn’t it feel divine?”

The water is so hot that it does feel delightful. “So now that you’ve heard all my news, tell me about a certain stormy, tavern-running Crow.”

He smiles. “Not much to tell yet, but I believe I’m slowly eroding his scowls with my unparalleled charm.”

“Unparalleled charm?” I laugh, and Gods, it feels good. “How I’ve missed your extravagant ego.”

“And I’ve missed your mercurial character.”

I flick water his way, but it falls long before splashing him. “Where have you been sleeping?”