Page 160 of Burn Her They Said
Cirrin’s hand lifts my chin, then slides over to cup my jaw.
“Come on, Tasch, I know you’re in there.” His gentle touch, his care for me, is more powerful than his magic pulling me back.
My eyes fly open, and Varic’s stare is a reminder of every other time he has protected and cared for me. How he is often all I see.
“How are you feeling?” Varic asks.
“Bad.”
He laughs a deep, rumbling laugh. “Yeah, I could have guessed.” He squeezes four pulses into my hands. “Think you can stand?”
I nod as Lars lifts me under my arms while Varic holds my hands.
“Thank you, Cirrin,” Varic says, releasing his hold with one hand to clap Cirrin on the shoulder, and the twinge in my heart pinches harder.
“Where did we leave off?” I ask.
“Oh, no—” Varic starts.
“You were asking how we were going to plan anything,” Fray explains as Varic’s eyes open wide, then narrow, glaring in Fray’s direction.
Varic shakes his head, then turns to Malin with some unspoken message.
My brow furrows, and I cross my arms to wait for an explanation.
“Someone is here,” Malin says before the door swings open.
Drusilla stalks in, followed by Lanska, who curtsies before entering the doorway. Every spine in the room straightens, and all eyes follow my attendant’s trajectory, assessing the very real threat to all of our safety.
“Come,” she commands, stomping away to the dressing room.
I huff a sigh and follow after, thankful to have my Guards with me.
Chapter Fifty-Six
Dining
Drusilla’s fingers pry the form-fitting dress from my body, despite her claim that I would wear this to dinner. My heart hammers as I raise my arms to allow her to drape a different dress over my shoulders, until the waist catches on my chest.
Her expression turns sinister as she curls her fingers around the bunched fabric and pulls down with unnecessary force. I clench my teeth to keep my hands from rising to the stinging skin, because every reaction from me only encourages her to do worse.
Rage coils through Varic as deep red threads course over to me through my magic, while his eyes remain averted. His ears burn crimson, and he seems ready to burst from all he holds in—until I pull some from him.
He sends me a fleeting look in warning before his face softens, and he sends tendrils of appreciation through our connection.
Cool amber-tinged healing rises to dull the sting on my breast, and I blink at the tears forming.
I force myself to turn away, though I wish I could thank him for soothing my skin after Drusilla’s cruel action.
My reflection stares back, and I nearly gasp at the severe plunge of my neckline—exposing far more of my chest than feels appropriate for a dinner. The fabric itself feels unfamiliar, with the top clinging while the skirts flow from my hips. It’s a much more romantic style than any other dress in my closet, made with stiff fabrics and leather. Though still Imperial black with my signature high collar, the gauzy fabric is sweeter, making me appear like some dreary princess.
The skirts cascade and ripple like waves as Drusilla pushes and pulls, smoothing down every bit of fabric until it fits just right. When she finally turns away, I spin and playfully admire the ethereal way it settles.
“Wow,” Varic sighs. “You are absolutely breathtaking.”
I quirk a brow with the hint of a smile and admire how he looks in his own uniform. Satisfaction fills my chest once his eyes catch mine in the act, with a subtle pink hue blooming over the peaks of his cheeks and the bridge of his nose.
What would we say to one another, were it safe to say anything without consequence?
