Page 85 of Kiss of Fire

“Where did you get this?”

“A woman was handing them out. Why, what’s wrong?”

“Have you eaten any? Raya, have you eaten any of these berries?”

Raya gazed at him wide-eyed.

“I ate two. Tor, tell me what’s wrong. You’re freaking me out.”

He dropped the berry to the ground and tore his mask off. She watched, bewildered as he seemed to have an internal debate with himself. Then he grabbed her hand.

“Come with me. We have to go. Now.”

“Where? Where are we going?”

“To find Lord Shadeed.”

“Butwhy? What’s wrong with the berries?” A strange feeling was creeping over her body. She clutched Tor’s hand, enjoying the sensation of his fingers threaded through hers. “Are they poisonous?”

His voice was grim.

“Not exactly. Now come on. Before it’s too late.”

Thirty

Tor practically dragged her back to the castle. He refused to answer any of her questions, simply pushed through the crowd as fast as he could.

She supposed she should have been worried by his reaction, but honestly, she was just enjoying the way he used his muscles to shove people aside.

“You’re so strong,” she commented. “I don’t think I’ve noticed your biceps before. Well, not close up.”

He glanced at her, frowning.

“Just hang on a bit longer, Raya. We’re nearly there.”

Hang on? What on earth was he talking about? She felt great.

“What did you mean, the berries aren’t exactly poisonous? What are they?”

“A sort of narcotic. It affects your mood. People normally take it in private.”

“Oh, I see.” She nodded wisely. “Like cannabis. Well, don’t worry. When it comes to drugs, I’ve had quite a few over the years. Prescribed, obviously. But I’m used to it.”

Tor didn’t answer. He pulled her up the steps of the castle and grabbed the first person he saw, which turned out to be Pasha.

“Lord Shadeed. Where is he?”

“He’s in the meeting room but he won’t want to be disturbed.”

“It’s an emergency. Take us to him.”

“Us?” Pasha looked over at Raya and recognition dawned. “Ah, Lady Raya. Of course, the peacock mask. Forgive me. Come this way.”

He led them to a room on the first floor, completely ignoring Tor’s attempts to make him walk faster. Raya giggled. She stripped off her mask and let it fall to the floor, uncaring. Her body felt deliciously light, as if she was floating in a scented bath.

“How are you doing, my Lady?” Tor asked.

“I need a lie down. My room’s on the top floor. Why don’t you come with me?”

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