Page 103 of Kiss of Fire

“Are you all right? Is there a problem with the Vulcani?”

“No. No problem. Can you come with me? If you can bear to tear yourself away.”

“Yes. Of course. Tor, I’ll see you later.” Tor didn’t answer. Probably put out by Shade’s rudeness. “Tor?”

“Oh, yes. Later.”

Raya followed Shade, trotting slightly to keep up with his long strides.

“Hey, we’re not all seven foot tall, you know,” she joked.

“Sorry.” He slowed down fractionally.

“Where are we going?”

“I want to show you one of my favourite spots. Down by the river.”

“What about the Vulcani?”

“Pasha is taking care of them.”

“And everything’s okay? You have their support?”

“Yes.”

“Is it enough? To beat Salaq, I mean?”

“Raya, please stop asking questions.”

She closed her mouth, stung. He sighed.

“I am sorry. It has been quite stressful and I just want some time alone with you.”

Her heart lifted. He led her towards the back of the castle and down some stairs. There was a door at the bottom, one she’d never seen before. It led into a tunnel.

“Is this a secret entrance?” she teased.

“Yes.”

Hm. Clearly not in a talkative mood.

The tunnel was low enough that Shade had to bend to keep from knocking his head. It was dark but there were wooden torches at the entrance. Shade held one out.

“Do the honours?”

She flicked a finger and sent tiny ball of flame weaving unsteadily towards the flammable end. With apopthe torch flared into life.

“Still no good with those fireballs I see,” he said.

She didn’t reply, surprised by his tone. Not quite sneering, but not far off.

She followed him along the tunnel, stumbling a little on the uneven floor. It was damp and musty. She held her skirt up, hoping it wasn’t getting wet, and shivered a little in the cool air. At least it was downhill.

They walked steadily for half an hour, maybe more. Raya lost track. She tried to make conversation but Shade answered in monosyllables and eventually she gave up. She was relieved when daylight appeared ahead of them.

Shade dropped the torch. They emerged into bright sunshine and she saw they’d come out by the riverbank. The castle was quite some distance away and the river was calmer here.

Further up, below the castle, it dropped into a ravine and thundered over huge boulders as it raced towards the sea many miles away. But here, it was a ribbon of serenity. Raya caught a flash of silver as fish darted beneath the crystal surface.

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