Page 31 of Of Songs and Silence

But I can’t stop watching the rise and fall of his chest. I can’t quell the rioting thoughts that fill my mind as I scan his bruised torso, following the bloody lines of his bandages.

Each time I move, I half-expect Ari’s booming voice to order me to stop. But he seems just as unsettled as I am. Napo is the only one who has been able to find sleep, and I can’t help but resent him for that.

Instead, my thoughts are coming to a boiling point, expanding and growing and bubbling over until I can’t contain them anymore. I try to fortify my walls, to give Ari the quiet he needs to rest, instead of being forced to listen to my never-ending barrage of thoughts.

I can’t stop thinking of all the death I have witnessed since I came here. Or how I contributed to the bloodshed. Or how close Ari was to being overtaken. How many warriors he fought and killed. How he had protected me, just like he promised. How fiercely I wanted to do the same.

That inevitably leads to thoughts about my sisters, wondering if they’re safe.

Even Kane. Does he fight as well as Ari does? Will he be in danger, traveling alone, or was today only because I was the target?

“Kane is fine, Kala,” Ari says. “And yes, you were the target.”

I nod, having surmised as much. The assailants had clearly been trying to get around Ari to reach me. Since the king wants me, I can only imagine that either they are rebelling against their monarch, or they have a specific reason to want me dead.

“You aren’t going to ask your hundred follow-up questions?” There is almost teasing in his tone.

“You wouldn’t answer them if I did,” I say.

My words are blunt, but there is no ire in my tone.

Still, Ari sighs.

“Couldn’t, Kala. There’s a difference.”

Is that better? Worse? Certainly no less frustrating.

Turning over on my side, I meet Ari’s sea-green eyes. And though he’s only on the other side of the mattress, he might as well be an ocean away. Before I can wonder if it bothers him as much as it does me, a large, muscled arm stretches out, gripping my hip and pulling me toward him. Napo swims out of the way just in time, casting an irritable glance at us before settling onto the foot of the bed.

I can’t even bring myself to feel bad for disturbing him, not when Ari tucks me into the crook of his arm, my face resting just beneath his chin and my body flush against his chest.

I expect it to set my nerves on fire the way his proximity usually does, but the warmth that spreads through me is more comforting than lustful this time.

“Peace, Kala.” Though he directs the word to me, his own heartbeat slows to a steady, rhythmic thump in my ear.

Contentment emanates from behind the shields that have slipped a little with each passing hour. Gradually, my thoughts fade to the back of my mind, peace flooding through my veins.

For the first time in what feels like ages, I fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

MELODI

Iawake to an empty bed, but at least Ari doesn’t bother telling me it can’t happen again.

He doesn’t say anything about it at all. Instead, he spends the day helping me practice my shields as we travel. Up and down. Up and down. Stronger. More finesse.

If I didn’t already know he was tense about whatever awaits us at the palace, I would have figured it out when he doesn’t so much as blink at the things leaking out when I let my shields drop entirely.

“Again,” he orders.

And I comply. Apparently, there are some Mayima who are strong enough to break those walls down. Ari strongly hinted that the king is one of them, though he won’t tell me any more about the enigmatic man who ordered my kidnapping.

So I practice harder while Ari tests the strength of my barriers, but the tension doesn’t leave his features. He eyes me from his mount as we cross another sandbar and dive even farther down into the ocean’s depths. “You need to keep your shields up any time you are not alone. Don’t trust anyone at the palace.”

I nod, trying not to be frustrated by the vague warning.

“You expect me to be in danger there, then?”

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