Page 92 of Kiss of Fire

“He seemed calm to me on the few occasions I’ve met him,” Tor said mildly. “Even the last one.”

Raya felt her cheeks warm.

“Anyway. What about you? Are you all set for the Vulcani delegation?”

“Aye. I’ve just managed to source the seafood they’re so partial to. Even old iron-face Loris will be pleased.”

She giggled.

“Let’s hope it puts them in a good mood for my display.”

“I have no doubt you’ll impress them.” He paused. “And then what?”

“What do you mean?”

“You told me you thought Shadeed had only made you his betrothed to win the support of the Vulcani. If you succeed, will you continue that alliance? Will you wed him?”

Raya was startled.

“I don’t know. I haven’t thought that far ahead. But Shade’s trying to find my mother so maybe I’ll go and stay with her for a while. She’s somewhere in the human world, I think.”

Tor looked at her, aghast.

“Leave Nush’aldaam? Leave the Vulcani without a leader again?”

“They don’t actually need me to take over, do they?” She squirmed under his stare. “I’m not really leader material. Loris seems pretty capable.”

“But theydoneed you. They want you to take Aelah’s place. The Vulcani are extremely hierarchical, Raya. They expect someone from her bloodline to lead them.”

“I’m only half fae,” she protested. “I don’t know anything about the Vulcani or their ways. How the hell am I supposed to lead them?”

“You won’t know until you try,” Tor said stiffly. “But I suppose I can’t convince you to do something you don’t want to do.”

“Don’t be angry with me, Tor.”

“I’m not angry. I’m frustrated. You told me you were locked up in the human world because people thought you weren’t right in the head. Well, here you have a chance to make a difference. Be an inspiration. And you’re throwing it away.”

“I want to find my mother,” she shouted. “I don’t care about anything else.”

“Aye, you keep saying that. But if it wereShadeasking you to stay, would you give the same answer?”

He looked at her steadily and she found she couldn’t hold his stare. She glanced away.

“I don’t know what you mean,” she mumbled.

“You know exactly what I mean. So what if he asked you to partner him for political reasons? You can’t deny you have feelings for him.”

“Stop telling me how I feel. Why does it matter to you, anyway?”

Tor smiled bitterly.

“Can’t you tell? Or is your head so full of Lord Shadeed that you don’t notice any other man around you?”

She was brought up short.

“Tor, I…”

“It’s okay. I confess I had an ulterior motive for taking you to the Melae. I thought if you and Lord Shadeed were only together for appearances’ sake, perhaps I had a chance. I realise now you don’t see me that way.”

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