She didn’t say a parting farewell to Tem as she headed down the hallway. She passed Saika and Delta’s door and her gut clenched. Was she just as bad as them? She had no plans to stay in the Western Court, but Lina knew that, and she felt helplessly drawn to the future Queen. The feel of Lina’s lips on hers tugged on her thoughts and she already yearned to repeat the action, consequences be damned.

Chapter 25

Chapter Twenty-Five

The looming rain clouds chased them all the way to Silver Sands. The monsoon season was nearing, the heavy spring rains bringing life back to the arid savanna. Cows lay under trees and birds sheltered in the rustling branches, signaling the brewing storm.

Bri looked over her shoulder to Cole driving the single-horse carriage. She wondered if Lina managed to sleep during the ride. She must be as exhausted as Bri felt.

They left Swifthill in a promenade, the two guards at the front and the brown witch healer driving the carriage. A little holiday to escape the rainy season, Lina had told her staff—a fun diversion in Saxbridge before her coming coronation. She said she didn’t want to take too many people or distract them from readying the castle for the wedding. It was a believable enough lie that no one seemed to question her further.

Bri looked back to the twisting dusty road ahead. Carys’s horse kept in line with her own. The barbed shrubs slowly gave way to leafy greenery as they headed out toward the coast. The air thickened, a blanket of humidity covering the warm air.

She glanced at Carys but the lithe blonde was already staring at her. “Don’t look at me like that.”

Carys shrugged, sweeping her braid over her shoulder. “I’m not looking at you like anything.”

“I know what you’re thinking.”

“No, you don’t,” Carys snorted.

“I’m sure someone told you about the wine cellar.” Bri’s voice dropped an octave even though there was no one around to hear.

“It’s always a wine cellar with you,” Carys jeered.

“It’s—”

“Spare us both the lies,” Carys cut in with a laugh. “Why can’t this be a good thing?”

“Because our families are enemies,” Bri said, tightening her grip on her reins. “Because there’s too much at stake for casual flings. Because I have my own crown to win in the East.”

Carys shook her head. “You’re so afraid of your destiny, you’d ruin a good thing just for spite.”

“This isn’t a good thing, Car,” Bri grumbled. “I won’t be taking any crown from Lina and I won’t interfere with her plans. She deserves better than that. I will make my own destiny.”

“And if you stayed with her,” Carys hedged, “you fear you wouldn’t?”

“It was one kiss.” Bri rolled her eyes. “Well, two, but still.”