Page 84 of Shrine of Fire

It was time to figure out how to ask if he wanted to be considered for the Royal Pack and, if so, how to let him down gently. He didn’t speak as though he was a contender, instead talking about the city and its resources like he was our tour guide.

I rolled over in bed, alone for once. Everyone else had been awake for hours. If I had to attend one more banquet in my honor, I was going to scream.

Hashir bounced into the room with food. “Guess who is brilliant?”

“Stefan.”

Hashir nodded. “He is. But who else?”

I rolled out of bed, pulling a silk dress on. “Cuan. He showed me some new stitches yesterday. And made me come three times.”

Hashir yanked me to him as we walked into the living room. “Brat.”

“It’s true,” I giggled. “Kalahar is like a glowing furnace at night, so he’s also brilliant.”

“It’s true,” Cuan said, “It’s like cuddling with the sun.”

“Am I?” Kalahar looked mildly embarrassed.

“You are,” Aki said. He had refused the silk clothes, opting for his leather armor. He was dressed and ready to go.

“Aki is also brilliant,” I said, stealing a kiss from Cuan. “He’s got the sexy brooding thing down.”

“You do,” Cuan said, winking at the delta.

Aki rolled his eyes. “Just because I don’t say every word that comes to mind, doesn’t mean I’m brooding.”

“Yes, you are.” Hashir looked at me. “Anyone else in your life that’s brilliant?”

I put my hand on my chin, pretending to think about it.

“Am I going to have to remind you of how amazing I am?” Hashir laughed. “Who helped stab those mercenaries while Yvenna was off on a tear with a spirit?”

“Off on a tear.” Aki frowned. “What a way to describe the near end of the world.”

I grinned at Hashir, locking eyes with him. “You’re brilliant. Sexy, smart, funny.” I tiled my head up, offering my lips up for a kiss.

“There it is.” Hashir gave me a brief kiss. “I have spent my morning speaking to Duke Antu, and he’s graciously agreed to take us hiking to the Library of Souls.”

“Seriously?” Stefan’s jaw dropped. “I hinted all day yesterday and they kept acting like it was something of legend.”

“The spirit magic is strong here,” Kalahar said. “The Spirit Oasis might be hard to reach, but I should be able to manage to cross over to the spirit world.”

I settled in next to Kalahar, the warmth of his body heating me from outside in. “You think it will finish helping you heal?”

Kalahar nodded. “I also have an extensive library. Perhaps some method of containment will present itself.”

“I told Duke Antu it would help Nova feel better, being connected to spirit magic and all.” Hashir gave me a mischievous grin.

“I’m not connected to spirit magic yet.”

“You’re not, but you did get blasted by a spirit two weeks ago, so I’m not sorry.” Hashir looked around. “Now let’s get ready before he changes his mind.”

We dressed for a trek into the jungle, using a hapless servant to help us gather the pieces of equipment we needed. I only felt a little guilty dropping in on Duke Antu. He kept telling us whatever we needed, we had but to ask.

Well, we were going to ask. Nicely. And by ask, we were going to show up dressed to leave for the jungle.

We asked a servant to lead us to the Duke’s sitting room. Stefan opened the door, to find the tall beta standing very close to another man. The man was dressed in the same manner as the royal guards, his shirt tucked into his loose-fitting pants and bracers crisscrossing on his arms.

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