Page 84 of I Summon the Sea

Perfect.

It’s quiet outside the room. Whatever other celebrations took place after the banquet, if any, are done and over with.

Did they drink wine and dance, or mingle and go to present themselves to their king after the shadow circus? I wonder.

That show was obviously not what the king had in mind when he ordered Jai to display his shadows.

Was I wrong? Did Jai do it on purpose, or did he really lose control of his power?

But why?Why?

That seems to be the word of the day. The theme of the century.

Turning the handle, I crack the door open. Nobody is standing outside, and heaving a quiet sigh of relief I tiptoe through, pulling the door closed behind me.

“Going somewhere?” a male voice asks, and I almost jump out of my skin.

By all the Sleeping Gods.Tru.He was standing by my door. Guarding me.

Of course. And I refuse to face the disappointment tearing through me at finding Tru and not Jai outside.

I’m going for a walk.I mime walking, then lift a forbidding hand.Stay here.

“I’m going wherever you’re going,” he says, stepping closer.

I push at him.No. I want to walk alone.

“There’s no way I’m letting you out of my sight,” Tru says. “Arkin got an earful when he lost you earlier today.”

Damn. How can I distract Tru? With Arkin, I’d only need to find him another girl, but with Tru… I have no idea what is on his mind.

He doesn’t give me any time to think, opening the door of my room. “Please, return to your bed, my lady.”

And if not?I glare at him.Am I a prisoner now?

“I don’t want to use force.” His jaw clenches. “But don’t think I’m above it.”

I keep glaring as I make my way back inside, kicking off my shoes and sinking down on the edge of my bed.

He follows me inside and all across the room to check that the window is closed. What does he think, that I’ll climb out and wander along the ledge or something? I’m not suicidal.

Well, not much.

He folds his muscular arms over his chest, turning to face me. “Stop glaring at me like that. My hair will catch on fire.”

I hope it will. He just mentioned using force on me. Did he think I’d thank him for it?

“Why don’t we talk?” he goes on.

I snort, a very un-lady-like sound.

He turns to my small desk and opens a panel, pulling out… an inkwell, a plume, and a stack of paper. “Here. If it will help you settle down.”

These items had been here all along? Now I want to laugh. I’m feeling a little hysterical. It’s been a long couple of days.

Getting back up, I brush past him to go and sit at the small desk. I catch a whiff of his scent—lighter than Jai’s, saltier—and it does absolutely nothing for me.

I consider that as I sit down and open the inkwell, then take the plume and dip the tip in it. What is it about Jai that grabs me by the neck and won’t let go?

---