Efrain refrained, barely, from grimacing as her hand came to rest on his shoulder, the warmth of her palm seeping through his shirt. He’d never appreciated the easy way so many nobles claimed his own space as theirs. It had always seemed like a strange display of entitlement when they so readily touched him, but he allowed Corvina to do so, the game more important than his personal comfort. He chuckled sardonically at her suggestion at charming. He didn’t doubt her capabilities, but the mere image of her trying her wiles on him was laughable. Very few men or women had succeeded and even then he had desired them to.
Impressive, however, that she apparently helped someone. It almost made him worried for her wellbeing. He would have to check with the commanders in charge of the Llyn refugees for confirmation. Perhaps he shouldn’t, however, as that may alert the Lord Nicholai of the continued existence of his daughter.
“I was merely wondering what a dead woman was doing walking around noticeably alive.” He didn’t bother to sugar coat it, nor did he shy away from the simple truth. His tone wasn’t accusatory, though, and remained light and conversational as if they were discussing the atrocious hats the nearest stall was selling. The only benefit to this interaction thus far was that he knew that she was not undead. Crazed and murderous remained to be seen, but she was very much alive. “As always, Corvina, you’re looking lovely, but I couldn’t help but notice the distinct lack of charring.”
“Your father was never the most reliable of sources, nor the sharpest observationalist, but this is a rather noticeable contradiction to his adamant claims.” He narrowed his eyes slightly, a grin curving his lips. It would be quite hysterical if she had merely faked her own death and had been the only casualty, but he doubted that her mother had likewise shunted her responsibilities as a noblewoman. “He surely knows, doesn’t he?”
Ashes rolled her eyes at his laugh and huffed. Not that she didn’t think she couldn’t do it, she knew she had the magic to and had done it before, but his attitude almost made her want to do it on principle. But she wasn’t going to waste it like that. Instead, she just worked to keep her charming grin on her face. After all, she didn’t exactly want people stopping to listen in on their conversations. Not unless she wanted them to. And currently, she wasn’t very worried about the man in front of her. Not yet.
A laugh left her lips and she shook her head, her grin only growing. “Oh, so that’s your reasoning. I’ll admit, it is a good question. I wish I could truly answer it for you. But it’s a bit... complicated, you see.” She let a bit of flame roll between her fingers before extinguishing it, just as easily. Ashes had spent nights awake, wondering why fate had toyed with her so. While she enjoyed having magic and power at her fingertips, it had come at a cost she wasn’t sure she would have willingly paid. “Yes, I found myself quite lucky that I didn’t die in the blaze that the rebels caused. Though it did kill my mother. I found myself on the other side of the flame with enough power to save myself.”
She snorted and shook her head. “You don’t know the half of it, Efrain.” Crossing her arms, she sighed again though a smirk returned to her lips. “My father wants people to think I’m dead. He’s afraid of what I can do now. If I could take my life back, I’d do it in a heartbeat. But I’ve got nothing to prove I’m who I say I am. Before you said it, I hadn’t heard my name in a long time.”
