Page 145 of The Eyes of Tamburah
“No. I don’t.”
Too bad. Shyla hoped the priestess might have gloated to Jayden over it.
Jayden sagged back. “I couldn’t read…anyone. And then I didn’t have the strength.”
She told him about the platinum torque. His reaction mirrored Ximen’s, including the cursing. “At least, we know why. Now we have to figure out how to get them back.”
“And you can do your scheming at another time,” Zhek said, bringing in a tray of food for Jayden. He turned to her. “When’s the last time you’ve eaten?”
“Uh…”
“I suspected as much. Go. Eat.” He jabbed a finger at the door.
Sheesh. Everyone was always ordering her to eat and sleep. She managed to survive on her own for a couple circuits. But, instead of pointing this fact out, she hurried to obey before he threatened to give her a cup of his tea.
“Shyla,” Jayden called.
Glancing back, she paused at the door.
“Thank you for rescuing me.”
“You’re welcome.”
* * *
“Shouldn’t you be resting?” Rendor asked for the third time.
Of course she should be resting. Jayden’s rescue had sapped most of her energy—not that she’d let anyone know. But she had to find a new location for the Invisible Sword.
“It’s here, I just need…to find the…right…” She scanned yet another dusty shelf near the back wall.
“I can help. Just tell me what you’re searching for.” Rendor had insisted on accompanying her to the First Room of Knowledge. The fact that Hanif allowed him to enter was a miracle.
“It’s a map of a small temple that was raided three thousand sun jumps ago. All the treasures and artifacts were taken, the booby traps disabled, and then it was abandoned and forgotten.” She hoped.
“You think it would make a good HQ?” He rubbed his shoulder as if it pained him. When he’d helped with the rescue, Rendor had taken off the sling and hadn’t used it since, much to Zhek’s displeasure.
“Yes. It’s close to Zirdai and deep. I saw it…somewhere here.” Crouching down, she sorted through a pile of scrolls.
“How long ago?”
She straightened. Dizziness rolled through her and she grabbed the edge of a table to keep from falling.
Rendor steadied her, cupping her elbow. “Deep breaths.”
Sucking in a few lung-filling breaths, she was suddenly very aware of his body right behind hers. Nothing soft about it—all hard muscles and…why was she thinking about his kisses? He’d been right before, she had no experience with physical intimacy. But… damn those kisses made an impression. And he’d said that was only the beginning.
The warmth from his presence heated her from the inside out. The temptation to remove the shield and read his emotions pulsed, but she focused on the task at hand. She didn’t have time.
“Thanks.” She stepped away or rather, she tried.
Rendor anchored her in place.
Shyla glanced over her shoulder and met his intense gaze. “I’m fine.”
“You are not. Tell me the name of the temple and I will find it while you return to your room to rest.”
She huffed. “I don’t remember the name.”
