Ember Frost’s POV

“Hey, why am I the one getting tricked every time today?” I blurted, only half-joking.

Eira raised both hands in surrender, but the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth gave her away.

“I'm not making it up,” she said, trying—and failing—to keep a straight face. “It's just... not nearly as dramatic as you're making it out to be. Relax. No one's going to start a war over you or drag your name into some ridiculous rivalry.”

She let out another laugh ...