And that was when she heard the terrifying sound of someone knocking on the door to Zena's rooms.
Immediately her heartbeat sped up again. Braeden's hand found hers. The touch of his fingers was reassuring, and Alyx clung to the comforting sensation of his warm skin against hers as she strained to hear.
There was the muffled sound of voices.
Could they really trust Zena? All she'd have to do was to point the guards towards the door they were hiding behind...
She'd always thought that Zena liked her—as much as the older woman seemed to like anyone.
Still. Zena was a shifter as well. And even if she liked Alyx, was that enough to go against Steele?
Zena wasn't stupid. Maybe she'd decide that hiding them from Steele was too much effort. If Steele found out, surely Zena would be punished as well...
“I'll let you know if I catch a trace of her,” Zena said haughtily, her voice a little easier to make out. She must have moved deeper into the room.
“Thank you. Apologies for disturbing you,” a male voice said. A second later, there was the sound of the door closing again.
Alyx barely dared to breathe. For a long moment she kept clinging to Braeden's hand.
And then the door opened, light spilling in.
“You can come out now,” Zena said, looking them up and down with narrowed eyes. “I sent them away. You're safe for now.”
“Thank you,” Alyx said, suddenly feeling weak.
They'd come terribly close to dying...
“Sit down. Have something to drink. And most importantly—talk. I want to know what's going on,” Zena demanded, already turning away towards the table.
She put out fragile porcelain cups, and then poured them tea—the strong, black tea Zena preferred, and which Alyx had learned to prepare for her just as she liked it.
This time, Zena was serving her and Braeden. Alyx gratefully reached for a cup with trembling fingers.
The tea was strong and sweet. It was just what she needed.
She'd never been a tea person before, but a few weeks without a latte had made her appreciate any chance for a much-needed caffeine fix.
“Thank you,” Alyx said softly when she put her cup down again. Idly, she traced her finger along the painted birds on the delicate china.
“Thank you,” Braeden said as well. His voice was tense.
When Alyx looked up, she saw him giving Zena a thoughtful look.
“You are—”
“The firebird,” Zena said and straightened with that strange, haughty elegance of hers. “Have you heard of me, fire dragon?”
Silently, Braeden shook his head. “I'm not from here. That is—I’ve heard of the legend, of course. But I didn't know—”
“Steele thought we would make natural allies.” A small smile played on Zena's lips. “He is not wrong, of course. I, too, am a creature of the fire.”
“But you're not like them,” Alyx hastily interrupted. “You saved my life. If you hadn't told them you needed a servant, who knows what would’ve happened to me.”
Zena looked uncomfortable. “I did need a servant,” she murmured. “It was selfishness. Still. Sometimes it is good to combine selfish desires with what is good for others.”
Then she straightened. “So. Out with it. What brings you here?”
She narrowed her eyes at Braeden, and Alyx found herself watching him as well.