A Shadow Bright and Burning (Kingdom on Fire #1)(81)

“No!” I pressed forward. “It’s all Magnus’s fault.” Everyone turned to me.

“How is that?” Agrippa said. There was no good way out of this. Even leaving aside Rook’s shadowed attack, by confessing the reason for his violence I would forever damage my reputation. But Rook mattered more.



“Rook overheard Magnus and me talking—”

“Joking, really. On my part, at least,” Magnus said, cutting in with ease. “That’ll teach me, I suppose.”

“Julian, what on earth is going on?” Agrippa said. I held my breath.

Magnus swept back his hair, his confident smile returning. “I was teasing Howel last night about, oh, something or other. She got cross, so I followed her out here, teasing her more. Rook overheard me say”—here he paused and laughed, as if he couldn’t himself believe it—“that I wished I hadn’t kissed her.”

“You did what?” Agrippa said, shocked. I bit the inside of my cheek.

“No, I didn’t actually do it, of course. How could I kiss anything so cold? My lips would get stuck to her. It was a tasteless joke, but poor Rook seemed to think I was being serious. He defended Howel’s honor.” He laughed like it was the world’s greatest gag. Truly, he’d make a fine actor. “Please don’t punish Rook for being gallant. He struck a blow for decent women everywhere.” I realized Magnus wasn’t going to mention Rook’s powers and could hardly believe it.

“You teased her. That would explain…” Agrippa looked to me, undoubtedly remembering what had happened this morning. “You must be more careful with what you say, Julian. One day, there could be dire consequences.”

“I see that now, sir.”



“Very well. Rook, you’re to be locked in your room until after the ball.”

“What? Why?” I cried.

“Do not question me, Henrietta.”

Rook let the men drag him away; he didn’t look as if he could stand on his own. As the crowd headed indoors, Blackwood grabbed Magnus and pulled him beside the stables. I slipped away from the others, waited along the wall, and listened to their conversation. Really, I was getting far too good at eavesdropping.

“You bastard,” Blackwood said, his voice pure venom.

“Nothing happened.”

“What’s this other girl’s name?”

“Doris Winslow,” Magnus said, surprised. “When the devil did you find out about her?”

“Just now. But I’d have to have been an idiot not to guess what happened when you came down to breakfast. You couldn’t look at each other, and you were always so comfortable before.” He said comfortable like it was a contagious disease. “I presumed there might be another young woman. You are the lowest kind of filth.”

“I never, ever thought it would go so far.” Magnus sounded disgusted, but I didn’t think with me. “The champagne loosened me up. It’s not an excuse.”

“I should never have sent her home with you. It was like having a wolf nanny a lamb.”

“Howel is surprisingly capable of looking after herself.”



“You could have ruined her life.”

“It won’t happen again,” Magnus said softly.

“And nearly getting that boy sacked.”

“I saved the day there, thank you so much. He’ll be fine.”

“Understand this, Magnus. She is worth ten of you, in every respect, and I will destroy you if you harm her again.” That surprised me.

“You’ve certainly changed your opinion. It’s a waste of time, Blacky. She’s no interest in you; she told me so.” I winced with embarrassment. “Besides, it would be the talk of the town. The great Earl of Sorrow-Fell taking up with some low-blooded girl. Low-blooded was your own term, remember, not mine.” Magnus’s voice was warm with anger.

“Don’t remind me of that,” Blackwood snapped. “I’m not in love with her, but I can see her value.”

“Always about value with you, isn’t it? Why don’t you grow a personality? You’re like a shambling ghost, curdling everyone’s blood whenever you walk into a room.”

“At least I don’t spend my time seducing innocent young women.”

“Someone’s been reading novels again. What’s the title of this one? The Poxy Lordling and the Aggressive Milkmaid?” Magnus sighed. “I tried to leave her alone, but I can’t help myself. She teases me in just the right way—”

Blackwood made a disgusted noise. “I don’t care. Unless you want an enemy, Magnus, leave her alone.”

“Like you did, when she attended that school of yours?” The wall trembled, as if someone had been thrown against it. There was a flash of fire. An instant later Blackwood raced past me, slapping at the smoking sleeve of his coat. “Handing down orders like you were God Almighty,” Magnus called, rubbing the back of his head while he came around the corner. “No wonder nobody likes you, Blackwood.”



“I’m not here to be liked,” Blackwood snapped, heading into the house. “I’m here to do what’s needed.” Magnus stood for a moment, watching him go.

“I know you’re there, Howel.” Blast. I shrank even further into the dark. “You needn’t worry. I won’t tell anyone what happened. I really think they’d kill Rook if they ever found out.” He sounded frightened. “But for all our sakes, I hope you know what you’re doing.” With that, he followed Blackwood into the house.