Chapter 49 Flickers Of Desire Chapter 49 Flickers Of Desire A 57 +20 Free Coins This was the Imperial Palace , not the Zonfrillo Estate ; manners mattered . Though dissatisfaction still clouded his features , Callum did not so much as touch the cup again . Claudia heard the stir near the wine table . Turning gracefully , she let a soft laugh slip past crimson lips . Her fan closed with a click that sounded like approval . " Rivermuse Wine is the crown of every vintage . If Callum happens to favor it , why ever should we deny him a second cup ? " Emperor Aldric leaned back on his carved chair , his robe catching the lantern light in waves of gold . " Tonight we celebrate among family . Should someone drink too deeply , let him . In a palace this vast , surely a quiet chamber can cradle his dreams . " Callum rose quickly , the tassel of his jade belt swaying as he bowed first to the emperor , then to Claudia . " Thank you for your kindness . " Aldric's amused gaze drifted down the table until it settled on Fiona , whose cheeks already held a rosy glow from the lanterns . " Fiona , will you not sample this wine as well ? If memory serves , you have quite the adventurous palate . " Everyone knew he referred to the notorious cup she had overindulged in during the autumn hunt . Embarrassment warmed her ears ; she dipped her head , fingering the edge of her sleeve . " When I returned home , Mother scolded me soundly . I have sworn off drinking since then- else she would never forgive me . " Aldric's laughter rumbled across the hall , and Zephyr hid his own behind a polite hand . Florence , her eyes bright with mischief , tugged at Fiona's sleeve and whispered questions . Fiona , obliged , recounted every stumble and slurred lyric of that mountain escapade , sparing none of the mortifying details . Florence sighed as though longing itself had weight . " Had I known it would be so thrilling , I would have joined the autumn hunt . Freedom like that is all I dream of . " Fiona answered only with a closed - lipped smile , unwilling to tempt the princess further with tales of unbridled hills and unchaperoned nights . After the banquet , the sky itself became a stage . Thousand - layered fireworks streaked upward like silver comets , bursting into blossoms of jade light that silhouetted the palatial roofs in hushed splendor before snowing petals of fire across the night . 1/3 14:48 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 49 Flickers Of Desire 57 57 +20 Free Coins Florence seized Fiona's hand and darted between princes and young lords , weaving through embroidered sleeves and sword hilts in search of a vantage point unblocked by shoulders and crowns . Their reckless dash caught the gentlemen off guard . Fiona slammed into a broad chest ; pain flashed behind her eyes like a second firework , bright and sharp . Steadying herself , she glanced up at the stranger , mortified . " I hope I have not harmed you , sir . " Soren lowered his gaze to her , offering only the ghost of a supporting hand . From that angle , the delicate camellia pin crowning her hair caught the torchlight , etching itself briefly into his memory before he looked away . " Ms. Fiona , mind the path . " Fiona froze , then exhaled in quiet relief . Better to collide with Soren than with one of Aldric's princes . Florence stepped forward , shoulders squared . " I was too fast , Soren . Do not blame her ." Soren said to Florence , " No one's going to steal your place . Take your time ." " You are right . " She nudged Fiona . " Come , let's go . " Fiona paused long enough to offer Soren a respectful curtsy , then followed Florence to the river's edge , where the view broadened like an unrolled scroll of stars . There they found Naomi and Roxanne already standing , their cloaks dusted with sparks of reflected light . Since her brother's rebuke , Naomi could not meet Fiona's eyes without a blush of awkwardness . Fiona , however , greeted her with the gentlest smile , making clear she harbored no ill will . Naomi managed a greeting , voice tight . " Fiona ." After that single word , the conversation dissolved . One by one , they surrendered to the sky's performance , silence deep as reverence , Callum , meanwhile , saw none of the pyrotechnic glory . His world had narrowed to Fiona's silhouette , the pale folds of her gown , and the snow - white calm she carried , beauty he had never noticed beneath what he once deemed needless finery . He felt a sudden , almost reckless tenderness bloom inside his chest . If a woman like that ever became my wife , I'd hand over every coin of my salary just so she could buy any dress she likes . What does a man truly need ? 2/3 14:48 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 49 Flickers Of Desire : 57 +20 Free Coins Without meaning to , Fiona glanced over her shoulder . Across the lantern - lit courtyard , she caught Cornelius watching Roxanne , his gaze so gentle , so liquid with affection , that for a heartbeat even the winter air seemed to warm . So the Fourth Prince has cherished Roxanne for this long . In my last life he married her , and they lived like perfectly tuned strings - no wonder the palace buzzed about their devotion . If Soren means to claim her in this life , Cornelius will not make it easy . Soren cut her a glance - cool , distant , like the flash of a drawn blade - then turned away without a word . Beside him , Callum met her eyes for the briefest heartbeat , then jerked his head down as though the very act of looking had scorched him . The truth was simple : Callum's sudden retreat sprang from sheer shyness - though no one in Jexburgh would ever pair that word with a man built like a siege engine . To Fiona , Callum had always embodied the ideal husband . In the previous life , he never strayed , cherished his wife openly , and carried integrity and duty in his very bones . Soren , on the other hand , was harder to judge . His loyalty to Duflana was absolute , yet in matters of the heart , he could be as unpredictable as summer lightning . Watching Callum , Fiona's mind drifted to the pages fate had already written . After the New Year , both brothers would ride north to Broadmoor , and there an ambush would leave Callum . grievously hurt , the tip of his little finger forever lost . She had once planned to trade that knowledge for a favor from Soren , but standing here she realized the bargain suddenly felt clumsy , even unworthy . Better , she decided , to warn Callum himself . He was straightforward , free of Soren's labyrinth of calculations , and his gratitude would be priceless coin in some future crisis .