Fantasy of Fire (The Tainted Accords #3)(59)

He looks up at me with angry eyes. “Damn right I should’ve been given a choice. I haven’t got the juice for this crap. Shit! It’s going to end in blood and guts.” I sit up at his words. I make my way around the table and hug him, locking my hands around his neck to stare into his eyes.

“You will make a great minister.” I let him see the truth in my eyes before I continue. “Who’s more qualified than someone who has lived in the Rings? Instead of using the clothes off your own back, you’ll give those made by the king’s servants, or collected from the other rings. It’s what you’ve been doing for years, but on a larger scale.” I kiss him on the cheek, and smile when he flushes. It’s a sweet side to him I don’t often get to see.

“Instead of changing one life per week, you can change ten a day,” I finish quietly.

Shard leans forward. “She’s right, Blizzard. I couldn’t name anyone better for this position. You know our Frost is a smart one. She wouldn’t have picked you if she though you were two blocks short of a house.” Avalanche and Ice snigger either side of me. A woman gives Avalanche an alarmed glance as his scars stretch with the movement.

Blizzard starts a lecture about the quality of housing in the Outer Rings, and Shard turns to me with a desperate look. I shake my head and turn to Ice, Shard walked into his own trap. There’s no way I’m getting drawn in to Blizzard’s sermon.

“Did you follow him?” I ask quietly, talking of Sole. Ice nods, eyes gleaming.

“You won’t be surprised,” he says. “It’s our friend from the Arena, just like you thought.” I stop breathing for a second or two. Having strong suspicions of Blaine’s involvement and having absolute proof are different things. Now is the time to strike. Right now, as soon as possible. The Outer Rings were cooled today. Jovan has more control than he’s had in a while. The momentum needs to be used before the traitorous piece of filth sitting four from Jovan’s right can reassemble his forces.

I turn to Shard, deciding to save him after all. “Can you give Alzona a message? I have something for her to do. It needs to be done immediately. Things here are heating up.” I stare at Shard as a hint of amusement crosses his face.

He waves me on. “Sorry, just ironic. You talking about things heating up.” The others snigger away at his words.

“Funny.” I glare at the fighters. “You and Avalanche may want to go with her for protection.” I lean forward, though I’m certain no one can overhear us, and whisper my message in his ear.

My gaze draws back over the assembly, stopping on Sole, seated next to Tomir—yet another delegate. I settle on Macy for a long moment; she cowers in her seat, flinching whenever someone nearby moves suddenly. It tightens my determination.

Blaine is going down.





Chapter Thirteen


“Never again!” Crystal wails, shaking in my arms. “That was terrifying. I didn’t want to talk! You have such a,” she makes a motion with her hand, “voice, you know?”

I chuckle as I let her go and take the veil from her hand. “No, I don’t know.”

Her face warms. “You know, like people should listen to you.”

“I’m bossy?” I ask, a frown on my face. Her face warms further and I grin. “Just joking.”

She punches me in the shoulder, then grips her hand painfully. I add “teaching Crystal to punch” to my overwhelming to-do list.

I catch an armful of fur from Olandon. “You must be freezing, sister. Put some clothes on.” I drop the pile on the floor and pick through it.

“Landon, there’s two of everything in here,” I say.

He throws a menacing glare at the strappy leather I’m wearing. “You can never have too much on,” he mutters darkly. Crystal giggles behind me.

“I think I’ll get going,” Crystal says, a happy smile still gracing her delicate features, but she looks exhausted. She’d ended up acting as Tatuma for most of the day. Fear is draining. She slips out the door as I select a few out of the dozen garments at my feet.

“You were in that thing while outside of the castle,” Olandon says. I nod distractedly.

“Mainly just in the actual pits. Helped with the crowds and distracted the men I was fighting.”

I hear a sniff and look up. “If something is bothering you, I’d rather you just spit it out,” I say.

He jerks his head up, completely appalled.

I sigh, reining in my own response. “As in, I’d rather you just come out and tell me what the matter is.”

A little bit of disgust stays on his face. “This world is rubbing off on you too much,” he says after a short pause.

“I’m taking the damn harness off,” I complain.

“It’s more than that,” he says. “The lightness in you, the humor and openness with those who are your inferiors in position. You laugh more. And often I don’t understand what the joke is. Occasionally, I’m left wondering whether the sister I grew up with is still there.”

It takes everything I have not to let my jaw drop. It’s harder to keep the hurt from my features.

“Landon,” I say with difficulty. “It worries me you feel we have grown apart. I’ve changed a great deal since our time on Osolis, but you have too.” I walk over and take his hand. “But we know each other where it counts.” I lay my hand over his heart. “You know I will always be there for you. I’ll always fight for you, and I will always be honest with you.”