Page 34 of Song of the Shadow Prince
“I see,” Royal Prince Bai said. I wished I could see what he saw, because I still didn’t understand why Damien had to bring me here instead of escorting me home. “I will make arrangements.”
I cleared my throat and raised a hand. “Excuse me, but would someone like to fill me in? I was practically abducted!”
Royal Prince Bai’s eyes widened in shock and he whirled to face Damien with a look of horror. “Youabductedher?”
Damien gasped. “What? No! She willingly climbed onto my back!”
“On your back?” his uncle repeated slowly. “As in, you shifted in front of her and she rode you here?”
Damien slowly nodded and his uncle turned back around and sized me up and down like he was seeing me for the first time.
“While I find this all… tantalizing,” I remarked dryly, “I think I have a dislocated shoulder and I’m in a lot of pain. So can I please just—”
“We can help with that,” his uncle interrupted, awakening from his fugue to usher me toward their living room. “I need to push it back into place. It’ll be painful, but I can get you some—”
I shook my head and held up my good arm. “No, it’s okay. I can bear the pain. Just do it.”
“Oh… okay,” he murmured as I sat down. “Damien, come help me hold her.”
“No need. This isn’t my first dislocated shoulder.”
“My lady!” Royal Prince Bai whispered. “When have you ever had a dislocated shoulder?” he asked in horror.
For a second, I forgot I was Arya and not Cat. “Well… this was long ago,” I mumbled. “Never mind. Just do it and get it over with.”
With those questions out of the way, Royal Prince Bai took the wrist of my injured arm and gently lifted vertically, whilst applying gentle traction. He then gripped my shoulder with his other hand and externally rotated, pushing the humeral head back into position. There was a loud pop. I grimaced and gritted my teeth, but didn’t make a sound.
“You’re all set.” Royal Prince Bai stepped back. “Wow… I’ve never seen a young lady handle pain as valiantly as you did. I’m quite impressed, Lady Arya.”
I gave an awkward chuckle. “Yeah… thanks.”
Royal Prince Bai motioned toward a hallway. “Damien, show her to a room so she can rest. I won’t be able to convey her home until the morning.”
Damien sighed and motioned for me to follow him. “Come on. You can stay in my room.”
I followed the dragon down a narrow passage that wound deeper into the heart of the volcano. The walls were rugged, a mixture of dark basalt and patches of glowing minerals that provided an otherworldly light. The air grew warmer as we descended, and the earthy scent of minerals mixed with a faint sulfuric odor.
His room was marked by a sturdy wooden door. Damien pushed it open, revealing a surprisingly cozy space. The walls glowed with soft, amber light as the dried lava bathed the room in a warm, flickering glow. Instead of tapestries, intricate carvings that told the story of the volcano and the dragons who inhabited it spanned the walls. A large bed with a carved wooden frame stood against one wall, piled high with furs and plush pillows. A woven rug covered the stone floor and a small hearth crackled with an inviting fire.
“Wow,” I breathed, taking in the space. “This is… really nice.”
Damien shrugged. “It’s private. No one will bother you here.”
Sweating from the fire’s heat, I untied my fur cloak and started to drape it on a nearby chair.
“Whoa!” Damien yelled, averting his gaze. “What are you doing?”
I looked up at him and back down at what I wore, realizing my torn dress from my fight at the tavern revealed a shocking amount of leg and thigh. “Got anything for me to change into? Because if I have to continue wearing this fur cloak all night, I’m going to roast in this volcano,” I deadpanned.
Aggravated, Damien’s nostrils flared and his jaw locked, but he turned and went to his dresser, pulling out a drawer and rummaging through his clothes. He returned with a pair of pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Neither would fit me, but they would do in a pinch.
When I started to undress, Damien’s face turned crimson. He whirled around with his back to me. “Can youpleaseshow a modicum of restraint?” he growled. “You are a lady. Act like one!”
Down to my knickers, I snorted. “Oh, please, like you’ve never seen a naked woman before.” I side-eyed him. “I’d be willing to bet you’re a regular over at The Gilded Serpent.”
There was a quiet pause before he answered, and I giggled to myself because I’d probably hit the nail on the head. “Not too long ago, I was courting your sister. Have some respect for—”
I slipped on his oversized shirt. “Whatever happened between you and Gianna anyway?” I didn’t know much about their relationship, but I’d heard whispers between the servants.
