Page 49 of Shrine of Fire

My face flushed. “There is no specific number. The bonds will simply be made based on my instincts and who I might find compatible.”

“Perhaps we should speak of less…personal things,” Chief A’Cuiric shot Cuan a look.

“It’s an innocent question. I am keen to know how much of a chance I have, especially since I see no bondmarks.” Cuan still grinned, but the mirth left his voice as he finished his statement.

“None if you keep going at this rate,” Liafa said dryly. “Stop being an idiot, boy.”

“I apologize for the indelicacy of the question.” The Chief passed me a basket of yeast rolls. “It is a heavy thing, to consider leaving the land of our birth. But the idea of conquering new worlds, seeing new sights, is enough for a warrior such as my son.”

“Of course it is,” Cuan said, raising his goblet again. “I cannot wait to see new lands and have new adventures. Forgive me.”

“There is nothing to forgive.” I swallowed, trying to look pleasant. “We should have honesty between us.”

“We will have more chances to talk frankly in the coming days, I would think,” Stefan added.

The conversation turned again, and we feasted until the small hours of the morning. Our traveling party was excused, and servants showed us to our quarters.

The fort was large and drafty, but a fire was already going in the common room. It was smaller than the Ember Palace, but was designed similarly, with two bedrooms, a living space, and a large bathing room.

Hashir threw himself down onto the overstuffed couch. “What a day.”

“Yes. I believe I will retire.” Kalahar looked paler than normal.

“I’ll request some materials on the spirit lore tomorrow,” Stefan told him.

“Good. I will bow out of whatever frivolities are planned for tomorrow, in favor of research.” Kalahar touched my arm hesitantly, as though he expected me to recoil from his touch. “Are you well? You are pale.”

“Just tired.”

I told myself my weariness was from traveling, but there was more to it than that. I felt drained, like every piece of my strength was taken from my body.

“Cuan was being a prat,” Hashir said. “But there’s something more going on. He looked at Kalahar like he’d seen a ghost.”

“The spirits are strong around him,” Kalahar said, sitting on an armchair. “We must uncover why.”

“We’ll try and see what his deal is,” Stefan said, looking at me. “We’ll be paired off enough we should be able to get it out of him.”

“I’ll let you two play doting couple then,” Hashir said. “Tomorrow I’ll poke around, make friends with some of the chiefs, and see what I can dig up.”

“I have no desire to sit around and make small talk.” Aki started rummaging through our luggage. “I’ll do the same as Hashir. It will be easier to gain Cuan’s confidence with less of us around, anyway.”

It all made sense, but it didn’t mean I wouldn’t have preferred to spend time with all of them.

Stefan grinned at me. “I guess we’re the power couple then.”

“We are,” I agreed. “Maybe Cuan will calm down when it’s the two of us.”

“Doubtful, but yes.” Stefan nodded. “We’ve asked to go to the Shrine of Rolling Clover, so we’ll have to see what other entertainments our hosts have for us.”

“I’m going to take a bath.” I stood up. My bones were weary. Hot steamy water seemed just the thing to revive them, especially since I would be sleeping in a strange place, with strange smells.

I had never considered myself a particularly delicate omega, but traveling with strangers and changing sleeping arrangements so frequently was taking its toll.

Kalahar stood up. “I will go to bed in the other room, so my tossing and turning doesn’t disturb you.”

“You don’t bother me,” I said. “But you might want your own space too. I’ll see you in the morning.”

I pulled my night clothes from the bags, then disappeared to the bathing room, looking forward to a long soak. No mysteries, no heartbreaks, just me and lots of steamy hot water.

---