Page 90 of Shadow Wings

“Whoa, Tyrrik, you’re practically glowing,” I said fidgeting on the spot. There was a bluish aura around his body. Maybe I’d over healed him. Was that athing?

“Maybe a bit slower next time,” he wheezed, slumping back. “And less atonce.”

That was nice of him. I sat next to him again and cautiously lay a hand on his chest, silently wondering if glowing was healthy. I frowned as I studied his new state. I’d poured plenty of energy into him, but the aura around his body faded, soaking into him like he was a drysponge.

“You need more,” I said. “But I think we better wait alittle.”

Tyrrik’s face was smooth and relaxed now, but he rested a hand over where mine lay against his chest. “Yes, Khosana. That might be a goodidea.”

I met his eyes, heat creeping into my cheeks. “And you’re not coming to dinner,” I said, my voice a breathy whisper. I cleared my throat and tried again, but my words came out more like pillow talk. “You’ll beresting.”

The tone of my voice made it sound like I was asking to restwithhim, but I couldn’t seem to find enough protest within myself to clarify the point. Our bond pulsed, and I felt his desirequicken.

He inhaled sharply, and black scales erupted where our skin touched, climbing up his arm. I stared at the luminescent blue in their depths, and my breath caught at the intimacy of hisresponse.

“I don’t know what’s happening,” Dyter said. “But I know I don’t want to watchit.”

His voice was distant and worked its way to my awareness slowly. I finally blinked, severing contact with Tyrrik’s intense onyx eyes. When had our gazesmet?

My hand was shaking as I slid my arm free, but there was something I’d promised tosay.

“Tyrrik,” I said, still perching on the edge of the bed though I planned to make a quick getaway after this. “I just wanted you to know that you can listen in my head.” I winced at the garbled words. “Like put your head in mine.” I sighed and stood. That bath-gem-getaway seemed like a good idea right now. “Anyway, you know what I mean. Thank you for being respectful and asking. I really appreciate that, and I’m okay with your thoughts rubbing againstmine.”

I glanced back and saw Dyter’s eyes were squeezedshut.

“That’s not exactly what I meant—” Iblurted.

“Ryn,” Tyrriksaid.

I peeked up and saw him studying me with heightened intensity. His lips parted as he took a deepbreath.

“Yeah?” Next time I told a mate they could jump in my head, I should think about what I wanted to saybeforehand.

The Drae’s voice trembled. “Thank you for this gift. It is priceless, and I will treasure ourconnection.”

My chest rose as some kind of warm, joyful sickness spread through me. “You’re welcome,” I whispered. I made tracks for the bathroom. I had a bath to take and an emerald to pry out of the wall, and both seemed something I should attend to immediately. I paused, though, halfway there. “Tyrrik, did you plan what you were going to saybeforehand?”

“No, Khosana.” He’d turned on his side to watch meleave.

“Huh,” I mused. I guess some people just had a gift withwords.

* * *

“How big is this place?”I whispered to Dyter. The old man knew a lot more about the realm than I did because of his talks with King Cal. Probably a good idea to learn as much as Icould.

Dyter tilted his head toward me so our conversation wouldn’t be overheard by the gold guards trailing behind us. Thankfully, Tyrrik had been asleep when we snuck out, so a debate on his health wasn’tnecessary.

“King Caltevyn told me the Gemond kingdom extends throughout this entire mountain range,” Dyteranswered.

My eyes rounded. I’d seen how huge this range was from theair.

“They mine throughout the Gemond mountains, however,” he continued. “Not all of the area is inhabitable. This valley is where most of the populationlives.”

I heard what he wasn’t saying, too. Out there wasn’t like in here. Well, we’d see aboutthat.

The guards stopped in front of a set of gold-plated doors and drew them back, gesturing us through. Considering the grandeur of the palace, I’d expected to be led to a ballroom, something similar to Irdelron’s throne room with long tables overflowing with food. The room we entered was plain in comparison to our chambers. The walls were plain without the adornment of gems we’d seen everywhere else. A heavy stone table sat in the middle of the room with gilded, high-backed chairs set around it. A diamond chandelier hung above, but only a few of the candles were lit, casting the room in shadows. In the middle of the table was a small arrangement of food. Nothing like Irdelron’s groaning foodbenches.

At the head of the table sat an emaciated man, draped in finery. As we neared, I noticed the robes he wore were threadbare and ill-fitting. If those were his robes, they’d been made for him a long timeago.

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