Chapter 50 Fireworks And Schemes Chapter 50 Fireworks And Schemes 57 +20 Free Coins Once they parted today , opportunities to catch Callum alone would vanish . She needed to corner him before night settled . A short while later , she felt the weight of his gaze again and found Callum watching her . She answered with a small , unhurried smile . In that moment , the courtyard's colors drained away , as though her smile alone had commanded every lantern and brocade banner to fade . Callum froze , ears flushing crimson , and hurried to stare at the paving stones instead . An idea chimed like glass inside her mind . Leaning close to Florence , she murmured , " Shall we set off some fireworks ? " Florence bit her lip in dismay . " Years ago , my brother and I nearly burned Sunspire Palace to the ground with those things . I have not dared touch them since , and Father forbade it outright . " Fiona laughed softly . " Then we simply find someone to supervise us . " Florence pondered , then turned instinctively toward Callum . Since childhood , her second cousin had been the one to indulge her in every forbidden game . At the mention of fireworks , Callum followed Florence's whispering gaze to Fiona's expectant face . Any refusal died on his tongue . Fiona probably wants to see fireworks , too . " You two head to Sunspire Palace and wait for me there ," Callum said . Florence linked arms with Fiona and led her away at once . After briefly considering the matter , Callum went to ask for Claudia's permission . " Florence hasn't relaxed in far too long , " Claudia said . " Take the girls out and let them breathe , It's New Year , and I refuse to see my daughter's mood spoiled . " Had Zephyr been the one indulging Florence's whim . Rowena would surely have pounced on the chance to criticize . With Callum standing in , however , the queen was not yet ready to cross the powerful Zonfrillo Estate . 1/3 14:48 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 50 Fireworks And Schemes : 57 420 Free Coins Armed with Claudia's approval , Callum turned on his heel and headed straight for Sunspire Palace . Inside the sun - washed halls of Sunspire , Fiona and Florence had already been waiting for some time , their laughter fading the instant his boots echoed across the threshold . At once , Florence clapped her gloved hands and ordered a maid to fetch the brand - new fireworks delivered for the season . Callum crouched by a brazier , struck a taper , and handed each young woman a slender paper stem that hissed to life in rainbow sparks . Fiona had not held such a toy in years ; her eyes widened like a child's , the neon fountain painting her cheeks with fleeting blossoms of light . Callum studied her face , now gilded by sparks , flawless as porcelain , and murmured , " Ms. Fiona , have you never played with fireworks before ? " She lowered her gaze , the sparks catching in her lashes . " It's been many years since I last held one . " Something in that quiet admission pricked Callum's heart . Without a word , he struck another taper and placed a second sparkling wand into her waiting hand . Florence shook the spent ash from her own sparkler , shivering . " You two keep playing . I'm frozen - I'm going inside to warm by the fire . " She turned and hurried toward the glowing doorway . Once Florence had gone , silence settled with the snow . Fiona asked softly , " Mr. Callum , is it true you'll be sent to Broadmoor right after the holiday ? " He nodded , the sparks hissing between them . " I'm to escort soldiers ' pay and rations . We leave on the fifth and should be gone about two months , round trip . " Fiona's gaze fell to the embering snow beneath their boots . " A few nights ago , I dreamed of you , ambushed by the Steppe Nomads while guarding the wagons . You were badly hurt . Please -promise me you'll take every precaution ." Romance was not Callum's battlefield , yet even he could hear the concern woven through her voice . He guessed that the firework display had been arranged so Fiona might deliver this warning in private , She's so gentle , so good , he thought , the notion warming him more than the nearby brazier . It was just a dream , yet she still warned him . 2/3 14:48 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 50 Fireworks And Schemes : She was nothing like the restless schemer his younger brother Soren had described . 57 +20 Free Coins Ordinarily , he would have laughed off such omens . He feared neither scars nor nomads . Every soldier bore his share of wounds for king and country . Yet before Fiona , he felt a strange softness , even a hint of embarrassment . " Thank you for the warning , Ms. Fiona . I'll stay alert and return without a scratch - on my honor . " She worried her lower lip , then added , " When you make your preparations , could you keep this between us ? Lord Soren already thinks poorly of me - I'd hate him to imagine motives . where there are none . " Callum's brows drew together . " Anything you say to me stays with me," he said firmly . " My brother's judgment is his own problem , not yours . ' The evening bells were chiming ; aware of the hour , Fiona folded her cloak and announced she must return to the city . A palace maid led her toward Cavalrest Palace , yet the carriage waiting there was not the modest one she had arrived in . The maid dipped her head . " Lord Soren is waiting for you ." Fiona's brow tightened , unsure why Soren had asked for her . They were inside the Imperial Palace ; if anyone caught them meeting in secret , the rumors alone could topple more than reputations . After weighing the risk , she lifted the velvet curtain and stepped into the waiting carriage . She had never entered Soren's carriage before . A faint breath of ink and sandalwood drifted around her , softening the sharp winter air . Soren sat perfectly straight on the rear seat , eyes closed in effortless command . Only when the door thudded shut did his lashes rise . Silently , she admitted his face was the sort one never tired of studying - angles too precise to fault , lips made for sin . The body beneath the cloak looked equally dangerous , though any pleasure it promised would never be hers . " Lord Soren , your courage borders on reckless , " Fiona said , her tone mild yet edged like fresh- cut paper . " Keep your distance from Zephyr if you wish to avoid becoming his newest diversion ," Soren replied . " You will gain nothing of real value from him . " 3/3