Page 118 of Kiss of Fire

The old man crumpled again.

“Please, your majesty, please, please…”

Raya rolled her eyes. She didn’t want to hear any more of his desperation or fear. She could have ordered the guards to drag him away. And she nearly did. But somewhere at the back of her mind, that worrisome little splinter of guilt was needling her again. She had to make it stop.

“He’s getting on my nerves. Hey, Silas.”

The centaur was at the back of the room.

“Yes, your majesty?”

“Send word to your mates in the Zone not to kill a small child if they see it. There’ll be a reward if they can find him and return him to the village.”

Silas flicked his eyes to Aelfric. The king shrugged.

“Do as my daughter says. I don’t think I can bear any more wailing.”

“I’ll do it now, your majesty.”

“Thank you, sire, thank you both.” The relief on the old man’s face was painful to see. Raya hardened her heart.

“You shouldn’t have let him wander. Now go away.”

The man backed out, bowing the whole way.

“I need more wine.” Raya got to her feet. “When can we get back to the fun stuff?”

“What do you suggest?”

“Let’s dance.”

That sliver of guilt again. It was a whisper, barely registering on her consciousness. But there nonetheless, a constant refrain.This isn’t you. This isn’t how you should be acting.

She danced with her favourite lord, a tall, dark-skinned elven with eyes of midnight blue. There was something about the combination of brown skin, blue eyes that made her wistful. Sometimes, if she squinted, he reminded her of someone. But it wasn’t quite right.Hewasn’t quite right.

She frowned, took another gulp of mead, and danced harder.

How could she not enjoy this life? She had no responsibilities beyond offering an opinion occasionally. No-one was relying on her for anything. All she had to do was have fun. Lots and lots of fun.

One day maybe she would have to marry Salaq, but that was just a means to an end. A way of extending her father’s territory.

Her feet slowed and stopped again. Dammit, what was wrong with her?

“Are you feeling unwell, your highness?” inquired the elven lord. His sharp eyes scoured her face. “Do you no longer enjoy dancing?”

“Ilovedancing.”I love dancing with Shade.

The thought popped unbidden into her mind. For just a second, the haze in her mind cleared and her thoughts were as sharp as a blade.

What the fuck am I doing here?

She looked round wildly. The place was full of elven, all of them as beautiful and lethal as sleek hunting dogs. They weren’t her companions, she realised in a stab of clarity. They were her guards.

And her father was her keeper.

As if sensing her thoughts, Aelfric turned from his conversation to focus on her.

His illusions,she thought.So hard to keep my head straight.

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