Page 87 of Kiss of Light

“Indeed.”

“Have you told my father I’m alive?”

“I thought it best to keep your presence here a secret. If I send a message and it falls into Salaq’s hands, then he may try to target you again.”

“Yes. I see. Don’t worry. I’ll head to Palissandra immediately. As soon as Tala is able to travel.”

Now it was Shade’s turn to look puzzled.

“Tala? But she has completed her mission. Why does she need to accompany you to Palissandra?”

“My father thinks I committed a crime punishable by death. She can attest to my innocence.”

Shade studied the vampire for a moment.

“Tala is free to do what she wants,” he said finally. “I do not own her. If she wishes to accompany you, she can.”

Lemar inclined his head.

“Thank you. What’s the fastest way to get to Palissandra?”

“I could fly you both…”

“No,” said Lemar flatly. “Forgive me, Lord Shadeed, but I’d prefer to arrive home with a little more dignity than a parcel delivered by carrier pigeon. No offence.”

“None taken. But we will have to organize alternative transport. Palissandra is quite some distance from here.”

“I’ve been away for a while. How do people get around? I suppose a car’s out of the question. Horse and carriage?”

Shade snorted.

“We can do better than that. We don’t have fossil fuels, but we have something better. Magic. I will have something ready by next sunset.”

“Thank you. And now I should get back to Tala.”

“Of course.”

The two men stood. Lemar hesitated, then looked up at the jinn. Shade was half a foot taller than him but the vampire met his gaze unflinchingly.

“I have no interest in the politics of Nush’aldaam. But Tala tells me you’re the right ruler for this empire. So I’ll do my best to persuade my father to side with you against Salaq. You have my word, Lord Shadeed.”

Shade tilted his head.

“You must think a lot of Tala to trust her judgement.”

“The fact that you granted her freedom is proof enough for me that she’s right.”

The jinn held out his hand.

“My friends call me Shade,” he said gravely. “I am honoured to call you an ally.”

They shook. Then Lemar followed Pasha back to the room where Tala remained curled on the bed.

He slid in next to her and felt his heart thud when she half-opened her eyes.

“Where are we?” she murmured sleepily.

“Nush’aldaam. The castle. How are you feeling?”

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