Page 81 of Kiss of Fire

“Hm. One hopes you have a little more control in the demonstration.”

“It’ll be fine. Stop angsting. You know, if you keep frowning like that, your face will stay that way. All gothic and brooding.”

“You do not like my face?”

She pretended to examine him. His hair was smoothed back, except for one stubborn lock falling over his eyes. Her stomach did a slow flip.

“It’s okay.” She took a gulp from her glass and coughed as it burned its way down her throat. “Holy hell, what is this?”

“Nectar liqueur. The naiads make it from mountain water. It is excellent, is it not?”

“If I drink this, I will literally fall over.” She placed the half finished glass carefully on the table. “Hey, I was thinking earlier about what I’d do when this was all over.”

“Oh?”

“Well, I can hardly go back to the hospital. The obvious thing would be for me to stay with my mother. I was wondering if you’d started to look for her yet?”

His face darkened. He tossed back the rest of the liqueur and poured himself another one.

“Are you in such a hurry to leave the castle?”

“I’ll have to leave eventually, won’t I? Once I convince the Vulcani to side with you, I can get out of your hair. Isn’t that what you want? I’m sure you must be missing Leona. Where is Leona, anyway?”

“She has left the castle.”

“I’m sorry. But you see? Having me here isn’t good for your private life.” She was teasing him but his face was granite. She tried again. “I just want to stick to our agreement, Shade. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Fine.” He slammed his glass down. Black ripples started emanating around his feet. “I will see what I can do.”

“Thanks,” she said uncertainly. “There’s no rush, you don’t have to…”

“I said I would do it.” He couldn’t look at her. He hadn’t realised she was so desperate for the deal to be over. “Just make sure you hold up your end of the bargain.”

“Of course.” She didn’t understand why he was suddenly so distant. Confused, she took a couple of steps towards her bedchamber. “Tomorrow, is it okay if I go to the Melae?”

“What you do is no concern of mine. As long as you impress the Vulcani, that is all I care about.”

His tone was ice cold and she felt tears pricking at her eyes.

“Goodnight, Lord Shadeed,” she said. “Thank you for the dance.”

She shut the door quietly behind her.

Twenty Nine

The day of the Melae dawned fine and clear. Raya could hear the music drifting in through her window and excitement fluttered in her stomach. She’d never been to any kind of festival before and she could hardly wait.

She breakfasted alone. Shade was nowhere to be seen and Pasha told her he was in meetings most of the day.

“Running Nurhan requires administrative duties,” he told her. “But I am at your service, my Lady. Is there anything I can get for you?”

“A mask,” she said quickly. “For the Melae. Something pretty.”

“Of course. I will have it sent up straight away. And I will organise a bodyguard to accompany you.”

“A bodyguard? Is that strictly necessary?”

“Everyone knows who you are now, my Lady. It would be safer.”

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