Page 101 of Kiss of Fire

It was almost a declaration of love.

Thirty Seven

She brought her hands together abruptly and collapsed the image. Her face was scarlet as she stood in silence. She couldn’t bring herself to look at Shade.

Someone started clapping. Startled, she looked into the far corner and saw Tor on his feet. He caught her eye and nodded.

Others followed his lead. And suddenly applause was thundering through the banquet hall.

Loris stood and everyone fell silent.

He stared at Raya, his expression inscrutable. Then slowly, stiffly, he bowed.

The dignitaries around him did the same. One of them, Kaemari, threw her a little congratulatory smile as she did so.

Awkwardly, Raya bowed back.

Shade came to stand next to her.

“I take it you are convinced?” he said to Loris.

“It was an unorthodox display.” The Vulcani straightened up. “I was expecting raw energy, perhaps fireballs or projectiles. But the skill and power demonstrated is unequivocal. Only a fae of Aelah’s abilities could show such control. You have an extraordinary gift, child.”

“And we must not refer to her as a child any longer, Loris.” Kaemari chided him gently. “She is Lady Raya of the Vulcani. Our leader. What is your wish, my Lady?”

Raya glanced uncertainly at Shade, but he didn’t step in. He waited patiently, as did everyone else. She suddenly understood that he was treating her as an equal. She lifted her chin.

“I wish for the Vulcani clan to pledge allegiance to Lord Shadeed. He belongs on the throne of Nush’aldaam. He deserves to be emperor. We will support his quest.”

Loris and Kaemari bowed their heads.

“As you wish, my Lady.”

Now, at last, Shade spoke.

“Let us repair to the meeting room to finalise the details. My steward will show you the way.”

Pasha materialised from nowhere. Raya wondered if he had teleportation powers, or if it was just a butler trait

The Vulcani were led off. Shade turned to Raya who kept her head down, still too embarrassed by her last creation to look at him. What must he think?

“You were magnificent.”

Startled, she glanced shyly at him.

“I told you I’d been practising.”

“You practiced all of that?”

“No. The last one was, um, an accident.”

“I see,” he said drily. “I was a little taken aback to see myself like that. It was… unexpected.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. I know we’ve only just agreed that you and I… that we…”

She realised she had no idea, actually, what they were to each other. He’d asked her to stay at the castle and he’d said he liked her. That was it.

He put a hand under her chin and made her look at him.

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