Illyra finished putting Rowan to bed and joined Cole in front of the fire. Sabriel was on her regular night watch. Fortunately, no other assassins had shown up since the first one she’d captured.
“How’s the little one?” Cole asked, slinging his arm over Illyra’s shoulders and handing her a mug of hot cocoa.
“Exhausted. Ever since she healed Zeal, she’s just…”
“She’s so young to be performing such advanced magic. I’ve never seen anyone that can heal like that,” Cole said. He clinked his mug against Illyra’s.
Illyra giggled and sipped her cocoa, leaning her head on Cole’s shoulder. “She’s special.”
“There’s something else bothering you,” the prince pointed out.
“There is,” Illyra admitted. She glanced sideways at Cole.
He’d been a good friend to her when she was imprisoned at the ice palace. He’d always been honest with her too. Now, he was more like a protector, a brother. She felt she could confide in him.