Page 12 of The Song Rising

His lips unlocked mine. Our auras intertwined, the way they always did. My heart pounded at the thought of Terebell or one of the other Ranthen walking in; the uneasy alliance being torn apart. “Warden,” I breathed, and he stopped at once—but now I had him back, I couldn’t bring myself to end this. I brought him back to me, his hands back to my waist. As I caught my breath, his lips grazed over the scar on my jaw and turned my skin as delicate as paper. Gently, he opened the top of my jacket and kissed my throat, brushing over the pendant that rested between my collarbones. A low sound escaped me as a shiver worked its way down my body.

I only sensed the dreamscape when it was far too close. With a jolt, I broke away from Warden and threw myself into the nearest chair. Maria strode in a moment later.

“Forgot my coat. Still here, Warden?”

He inclined his head. “Paige and I had a private matter to discuss.”

“Ah.” She grabbed her coat from the back of a chair. “Paige, sweet, you look . . . feverish.”

“I do feel a little warmer than usual,” I said.

“You should see Nick about it.” Maria looked between us. “Well, don’t let me keep you.”

She slung her coat over her shoulder and left.

Warden stayed where he was. My blood was hot and restless in my veins. I felt tender all over, like his touch had stripped off armor I hadn’t known was there. There was no one else close, no one else coming.

“I almost forgot about the hazards of being in your company,” I said, trying to sound light.

“Hm.”

Our eyes met briefly. I wanted, needed, to trust that this was real—but I was frozen by the reminder of the danger, and by the memory of Jaxon, that mocking laughter in his eyes.Arcturus Mesarthim is nothing but her lure. Her bait. And you, my darling—you fell for it.

“I should . . . get some sleep.” I stood. “It’s Ivy’s trial tomorrow.”

Her trial for being part of the gray market; for helping the Rag and Bone Man sell voyants into slavery.

“You will come to the right decision,” Warden said.

He knew, somehow, that I wasn’t sure what to do with her. “Is Terebell sending someone to witness the trial?”

“Errai.”

Great. Errai was about as friendly as a punch in the mouth. “Do not give me that look,” Warden said softly.

“I’m not giving you a look. IloveErrai.” My smile faded almost as soon as it appeared. “Warden, I—never mind. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, little dreamer.”

The other three didn’t ask why I had taken so long to join them. Nick knew about Warden, and I had a feeling Eliza suspected. I sometimes caught her looking between me and Warden, eyes astir with curiosity.

We set off into the blizzard. As we fought our way through the wind, I tried not to think about what had just happened. Maria had come so close to seeing the truth, and while I doubted she would have gone to Terebell, she wouldn’t have been able to resist telling at least one of the other commanders. Our secret could have been out. No matter how much of a weight off my shoulders it had been to be close to him again, it was just too dangerous.

But I missed talking to him. I missed just being near him. I wanted him—but what I wanted might be an illusion. It had seemed so much simpler before I had become Underqueen.

When we passed a pharmacy at the end of a line of shops, Eliza stopped dead. Nick and I turned to look at her.

“It’s okay,” Nick said gently. “Come on. We’ll keep away from—”

“Everything?”

“You’ll be fine.”

Eliza hesitated before pressing on. We walked on either side of her, as if our auras could shield hers.

We never stayed long in our safe houses, but my favorite was the neglected terrace in Limehouse we arrived at now, which overlooked the marina. Once we were locked in, Danica went up to her room while Eliza retired to the cellar. I made myself a cup of broth.

One side of my head was beginning to throb. I didn’t know what we would do if we couldn’t get rid of Senshield. The location of its core must be top-secret, and the information that would help us was unlikely to seep into Danica’s department. It was hard not to give way to dread.

---