Page 79 of Kingdoms of Shadow and Ash

'Couldn't sleep?' she asked, not wanting to leave this place, or his company. There was something about his intense demeanor, the way he switched so easily from carefree cad to brooding King, the austere way he looked at her …

He didn't answer, so she circled the pool, taking in every detail she could make out, which wasn't much in the gloom.

She looked back to find Cal gone, and something lurched in her chest … something that felt a lot like disappointment. He'd been cold and aloof since they'd danced in the tavern, but she was drawn to him in a way she'd never been drawn to another. She couldn't understand why … maybe it was the Cruaxee-touch …

Fyia reached for her bond with his bear, feeling her way through the faint, strange connection.

'What are you doing?' said Cal, suddenly in front of her, a hint of concern tinging his confident tone.

'Exploring the bond you placed on me,' she said. His scent of gorse, pine, and freshly fallen snow was enhanced, far stronger than usual. It made her heart race … made her lightheaded, and she shut her eyes, trying to shake away the sensation, trying to pull back, willing her mind to focus on more important things. His bear didn't want to let go, and chased her.

Fyia's heart thudded loudly in her ears as she reached for her wolves, who whined in her mind. She concentrated on them, letting their senses fill her as she raced away from the bear.

Her wolves still sat by the books above, and the smell of musty, leather-bound volumes mingled with the King's scent, diluting him until the bear lost interest, and Fyia had control once more.

'Don't do that again,' said Cal, as though in pain, his voice stern and distant.

'If you didn't want me to use the bond, you shouldn't have touched me with it,' she countered.

He was so close his scent invaded her once again, this time without the help of his bear's senses. She needed to put distance between them, but as she tried to move away, he grabbed her arms, his fingers firm.

'If my bear attacks you through the bond, there is little I can do to stop her. She is strong and wild and willful. She possesses a stubborn streak not unlike your own that is impossible to control.'

Fyia's head swam. 'Release me,' she breathed. His scent was overwhelming, and the feel of his strong hands through the thin cotton of her shirt made her breathless. Fyia was glad Edu wasn't here … he wouldn't have let anyone get away with touching her this way, regardless of their importance. He would have caused a diplomatic incident and been proud of it.

Fyia knew she should push him away … make him take a step back. She knew well enough how to, because Sensis and Edu had both insisted on training her in self-defense. Neither of them had fully trusted the approach of the other, so they’d trained her twice over, not to mention the constant refreshers they both liked to deliver. But she didn't push him away, because part of her didn't want to—a dominant part.

Cal dropped his hands and took a step back. 'I just … need you to understand the danger,' he said. 'To take it seriously. I don't want my bear to hurt you.'

'Then why did you touch me with your Cruaxee bond?' said Fyia, her voice rising in frustration. She took a few steps away, washing her face with her hands.

'Be careful over there,' he said, his tone urgent. He moved towards her, and she backed up a pace. He stopped. 'Fyia, there's a hole … I don't want you to fall.'

She looked at the ground, searching for the hazard, and found it without difficulty. 'Why is there a hole in the floor?' she said, inching closer.

'Don't,' he said. 'It leads to the mechanisms that control the hot water pumps. It's a long way down.'

Fyia wasn't sure what possessed her, but she decided she would like to see the mechanisms, maybe because of the note of panic in the King's voice. What was down there he didn't want her to see?

Fyia sat, dangling her legs over the edge of the hole, which was easily big enough for her to fit through.

'Fyia, don't,' said Cal.

'Why not?'

'It's dangerous.'

'Why?'

'If you fall …'

'I won't,' said Fyia, shuffling over a little.

'You …'

'I've found a ladder.' She tested the rungs with her feet to make sure they were sturdy.

'There's no light down there.'

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