Page 52 of Kingdom of Dance

She tugged on his arm, bringing him down and past her until he stood on the step below, apparently so she could whisper in his ear.

“Shh,” she murmured, her breath tickling his ear. “Try not to make a sound.”

Goosebumps raced along Obsidian’s arms. Compliantly, he kept his mouth shut and moved his feet as stealthily as he could. He thought he’d seen a faint glow below them when she was speaking to him, but now he saw nothing but darkness.

It was only a few more steps until they reached the bottom. It was so dark that Obsidian could see nothing at all beyond the circle of light that marked the top of the staircase far above. Zinnia groped for his hand, finding a fistful of his tunic instead. The ghost of a giggle reached his ears, and again he thought the air glowed slightly.

Successfully finding his hand this time, the princess tugged him forward, moving so quickly through the darkness that he guessed she was familiar with the layout of this strange place.

After a few dozen paces, when the circle of light above and behind them had diminished, she stopped. He waited, completely unable to predict what was coming with the strange mood the princess was in. His every nerve tingled with awareness of her proximity, his heart once again picking up speed as she tugged his hand so firmly he was forced to lean down.

Her other hand suddenly made contact with his nose, making him start. The princess felt her way across his face until her hand was laid firmly across his eyes.

“You realize it’s pitch black in here, don’t you?” he asked dryly. He’d meant to speak quietly, but in the darkness and isolation, even his murmur sounded like a shout. “What’s the point in covering my eyes?”

“You’ll see,” said the princess, sounding a tiny bit smug.

“Will I, though?” Obsidian retorted, his eyes still completely covered by her hand. He tried to sound exasperated, but the truth was that he was distracted by the softness of her fingers on his skin.

“As soon as you’re ready, I’ll take my hand away,” the princess informed him matter-of-factly. “I just didn’t want to spoil the effect.”

“Ready for what?” Obsidian asked warily.

“To let it out.”

“Let what out?”

“Don’t play dumb, Soldier,” she said sternly, and he wondered why she’d changed the form of her address. “We both know you need to let off some steam after that pleasant encounter upstairs.”

Obsidian stiffened. The princess’s bizarre behavior had made him momentarily forget his grandfather’s visit, but it all came rushing back immediately, and with full force.

“Go on,” Zinnia encouraged. “This is a safe place to release it.”

“Release what?” Obsidian asked. “Are…are you talking about my magic?”

There was a moment of silence. “I wasn’t,” she said, sounding surprised. “But I hadn’t even thought of that. I wonder if it will make it look different.”

“Makewhatlook different?”

“Stop asking so many questions,” she scolded. “You’ll ruin the effect. Just tell me this—is the unmastered anger still there? And the unbearable frustration of being powerless against your demons?”

Obsidian paused, rattled by how well she’d read him.

“Well?” she demanded.

“Yes,” he said, through gritted teeth. Just the mention of it all made him long to break something. Preferably his grandfather’s nose.

“Good,” said Zinnia with satisfaction. “Don’t try to bury it. Let it come. Let yourself feel it.”

“I don’t think that’s such a good—”

“That’s a royal order, Soldier,” she said sternly.

He smiled, knowing she must be as aware as he was that as a princess she had no authority to give him orders. The expression fell away at her next words.

“He’s obviously wronged you. Clearly there’s a lot of history there, and I’m guessing you’ve never faced it head on. Why are you hiding from it? I thought soldiers were supposed to be brave. Or are they all just frauds?”

Anger coursed through him, sudden and uncontrolled. His vision was filled with his grandfather’s sneer when he’d spoken about Obsidian’s military position, and his slur against Obsidian’s father.He’s gone now, Obsidian. There’s no more need to hide.As if Obsidian’s father was the one he needed to be freed from, protected from.

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