Page 122 of The City of Zirdai
She sighed dramatically. “It better not take too long to find someone else, or I might get used to living like this. Do you know there are collection stations down here called water closets?” she asked Shyla in amazement.
Shyla laughed. The release of tension soothed her. One problem solved…at least temporarily. There was still the issue with the Heliacal Priestess and her holy army.
“Do you know what happened to the Invisible Swords after we were attacked by the guards?” she asked Rendor.
“They retreated to Orla’s commune. Zhek checked them over and they’re all fine.”
“I was hoping they continued with the plan.”
“Without you they had no way to get to the priestess.”
True.
“There are rumors that the priestess is preparing to attack the Water Prince,” Rendor said. “She knows you’re here and will not tolerate him having The Eyes. Her only strategy is to strike before he does and hope to catch him off guard.”
“Except she doesn’t know we’ve taken over so—”
“The advantage is ours.” Rendor grinned.
Hanif and Kaveri wanted to get started on familiarizing themselves with the job of running the city. They enlisted Timin’s help to show them the ex-prince’s main office.
Shyla stood to follow them. They needed to start planning their strategy for countering the priestess, but Rendor put a big hand on her shoulder, stopping her. “You’re exhausted.”
Not a question but a statement of fact. And she couldn’t argue as just standing up had been a colossal effort—not that she’d admit it.
“All right. But I want a big comfortable sleeping cushion,” she said, shuffling out of the throne room. If she never returned to this place, it would be too soon.
Rendor took her hand and led her to his old office. “Yates never used it, and all my stuff is still here.” He gestured to the sleeping cushion.
Remembering waking up here once before, she smiled. Rendor had been so upset with her. One of the many times since she’d known him. She collapsed onto it, sinking into the softness.
“Get some sleep,” he said, covering her with a fur.
She tugged on his arm. “Join me.”
“To sleep?”
“Eventually.”
His surprise lasted a mere heartbeat before his expression softened. “You’re exhausted.”
“But—”
He brushed his lips over hers. “We’ll have plenty of time later.” But he settled in next to her. “I’ll stay until you fall asleep.”
Resting her head on his shoulder, she pressed against him, fighting off the inevitable. The strong scent of Rendor filled her senses. And that reminded her.
“How did you beat Yates? The last time your injuries slowed you down. Or were you faking it?”
“No.” His grip tightened for a moment. “Not pretending at all. It was Zhek. He did…something…to my injuries. The monks did a great job saving my life, but Zhek tsked over my shoulder and hip and readjusted something. All I know is they were hurting pretty bad after that first fight with Yates, and Zhek made it all go away.”
Another reason to test Zhek for magic. “You didn’t say anything.”
He shrugged. “You’d been stabbed. My pain could wait.”
Typical. She snuggled in closer. “I missed you.”
“Being apart was torture.”
