Page 29 of Ties of Frost

Iskyr, give me patience.

Voices, light, and the scent of baking spilled out of the rows of windows lining the front of the three-story woodbuilding that was the Ravensburgh Haven. Zidra stopped so abruptly in front of the clothier’s shop next to the Haven that I bumped into her pack.

I stepped around to stand at her side. “Zee?”

She groaned. “I didn’t think about all the rengiri leaving Laedresh. There’s going to be so many of them here!” Shaking her head, she began to retreat. “I’ll sleep outside the city—”

I seized her arm. “I doubt it’s so full they have no beds—”

“I don’t want to face them!”

Something about the quaver in her voice that she tried to hide made me discard my initial intention of saying something dismissive or teasing. I eased my grip on her arm. “Why?”

Her face flushed and she ducked her head. “You wouldn’t understand.”

I took a breath to cool my frustration. “I can’t if you don’t tell me what’s going on.”

After an agonizing moment of silence, Zidra raised her head. She yanked her arm free of my grip. “It doesn’t matter. I’m fine. Let’s go.” With her jaw set, she took off toward the Haven.

I watched her go, unsure of what to do. Perhaps I should let her enter by herself, but I didn’t think this was about not wanting to be seen with me. When I reached out toward the heartbond, I felt more shame and fear than mere embarrassment. If she didn’t want to face our rengir brothers and sisters, even if I didn’t understand why, Iwouldn’t make her face them alone.

Zidra entered the Haven several steps ahead of me and let the door swing shut behind her, but it didn’t latch. The murmur of conversations hushed, and then a woman called, “Zidra! Congratulations on receiving the Merit!”

I still had our bond open. Her discomfort heightened further, and the sorrow I sensed confused me.

“Thank you, Samina.”

Understanding bowed my head. If it was the Samina I knew, she was a panther shifter—like the man Zidra had killed today.

I pushed open the door and then made sure it latched behind me.

“And Kyrundar!” Samina bounded to her feet, her smile widening. The thick twists of her black hair bounced around her shoulders. “How good to see you as well.”

“Always a pleasure, Samina,” I said as I moved to stand at Zee’s side.

Aside from Samina, four rengiri lounged on the plush cushions spread over the rug on the floor of the common room that took up most of the ground floor. The kitchen, pantry, laundry, and a large supply closet made up the rest.

Maybe only because I was standing so close to her, Zidra’s gulp was audible. A wave of anguish pummeled me so hard through the bond, I almost pulled her into my arms and asked what was wrong—but that would only make her angry.

“Are there any beds left?” Zee asked tightly.

Another rengir, Euan, nodded with a lopsided smilethat pulled at his thick red beard. “The west-facing room at the south end of the third floor is empty. Obviously Kyrmaris won’t mind sharing.”

A few of the other rengiri laughed quietly. My eyebrows drew together. Had word gotten around? Did they know about the heartbond? Surely not. How could they know?

“No more than I’d mind sharing with any other rengir,” Zidra said lightly, but by her roiling emotions, she was not as unfazed as she was trying to appear. “I wish I could socialize, but I’ve had a long day and must retire.” She gave a curt nod and strode past the others toward the stairwell in the back corner.

Samina sashayed over to me with feline grace. “You’ll join us, won’t you, Kyr?”

I smiled apologetically. “I’m afraid not. It’s been a long day for me as well.”

“There must be a story there,” Euan said. He motioned me over. “You love to tell a good story, and we’d love to be the first to hear a new Kyrmaris tale.”

Chuckling, I shook my head. “I think this particular tale is just getting started. I should save the telling for when I know the ending. Good night.” I nodded and followed Zidra upstairs.

She must have nearly run, because by the time I reached the room, she already had her armor halfway removed. While she finished, I took out my teardrop and chain earrings and set them on the nightstand that was tucked into the corner between the heads of two cots. At least these rooms were large enough the beds weren’tstacked. I didn’t care for stacked bunks. Too great a risk of whacking one’s head.

Zidra picked up her pack and moved to go behind the dressing screen across from the cots.

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