Page 45 of Kiss of Fire

Shade narrowed his eyes at the implied threat and Raya held her breath. She didn’t know what would happen if he lost his temper, but it probably wouldn’t be anything good. He answered calmly.

“I understand.”

The Vulcani melted back into the forest, disturbing not one leaf or twig as far as Raya could see. One minute they were there, the next they weren’t.

As soon as they vanished, Shade turned on Raya.

“A week? Aweek?Are you insane?”

“I didn’t know what to say! He put me on the spot!”

“Why did you not use your brain? We will need more than a week to…” Shade abruptly realised they still had company. “Let us continue this conversation at the castle. Mr Torven, can you find your own way there?”

“Aye, don’t mind me,” said the young man cheerfully. His accent was gently lilting, pleasant to the ear. “I have my horse. It’ll take a few hours but I’ll be there by sundown.”

“Horse?” Raya’s eyes widened. “You have a horse?”

“I have several. Do you ride, my Lady?”

“I used to.”

For a moment, Raya was wistful. She’d had riding lessons when she was young. She’d become quite good, too. She’d hoped one day she could have a horse of her own. Before her dreams were all ripped away.

“You never forget, no matter how long it’s been since you sat on a horse. Would you like to try, my Lady?”

“Raya.” Shade’s voice was cold. “We do not have time for this. Let us go.”

Raya lifted her chin. A wave of resentment swept through her. Everything she’d done since she’d left the damned hospital was for him, and he hadn’t even said thank you.

“Actually, I’ll go with Torven, if that’s okay with you?” She looked hopefully at the fae and he nodded.

“You can ride Martha, she’s a good mare.”

“Out of the question,” Shade snapped. “She will come with me.”

Want to bet?Raya treated him to a sweet, innocent smile.

“Butdarling,I would like to see more of Nush’aldaam.”

His lips tightened with the effort of not roaring in anger.

“I only wish to keep you safe,beloved.”

“I’m sure I’ll be perfectly safe,sweetheart.” Raya was suddenly enjoying herself. “Torven will look after me. Won’t you, Torven?”

“I will indeed, Lord Shadeed,” Torven said quickly. “And after all, your Lady is Vulcani. There is not much out here that could alarm a fire fae.”

Shade raised an eyebrow meaningfully at Raya but she ignored him.

“How long will it take to get back, Torven?”

“It’s an easy ride. Four hours at most. If we are not back by then, Lord Shadeed, you may have my head.”

Shade glowered at the shorter man.

“You can count on it.”

His shadows unfurled, deliberately engulfing both men in a cloud of darkness. By the time it cleared, Shade was already a dot in the sky. Raya was impressed that Torven seemed unruffled by the display of power.

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