“I originally thought there weren’t that many,” Shyla said. “But they’ve had time to find more.” She considered the new wielders in the Invisible Sword and if they were ready to fight. “How do you think the priestess is going to attack?” she asked Rendor.
“If I was going to target her people, I’d send small units to ambush all the clusters of deacons in the city at the same time. Also, at that time, I’d lead a bigger unit to her level and fight my way in.”
“You’ve given this some thought,” Ximen said.
“The prince hated her and we brainstormed different strategies. That one had the biggest chance of success with the least amount of expected losses. I’d expect the priestess will use a very similar plan. If she strikes with surprise, speed, and intensity, it will be hard for us to counter and she’d have the advantage.”
“That means the guards throughout the city might be attacked at any time,” Gurice said. “Do we need to double them?”
Good question. If they did, that would alert the priestess. “We can assign Invisible Swords to guard the guards. They can blend in with the citizens and not tip the priestess off.”
“That’s a good idea,” Rendor said.
“And I think we should do what Rendor suggested and put together small units and attack at the same time,” Shyla said.
Everyone nodded in agreement. Shyla assigned them each tasks.
Mojag hopped to his feet. “I’ll keep watch on the deacons. If they so much as twitch in our direction, I’ll let you know.”
“All right. Be careful.”
Mojag scoffed. “It was easy before, but now that I can wield magic, it’s—”
“Don’t boast,” Rendor said. “You’ll tempt the Sun Goddess to teach you a lesson.”
Shyla waited for Mojag to make a snarky comment. Instead, he nodded thoughtfully before dashing away.
Shyla lumbered to her feet. Rendor grabbed her elbow to steady her. How did the big man move so fast?
“Perhaps you should—”
“Introduce myself to the guards and staff? Good idea,” she said. Shyla wanted to ensure everyone was loyal so there wouldn’t be any traitors surprising them later.
A grumpy rumble rolled from his throat.
“When’s the last time you slept?” she asked.
No answer.
“That’s what I thought. How about we make a deal? I won’t exhaust myself if you don’t. We can meet back in your office to rest together.”
“Rest?”
“Eventually.”
He laughed.
Shyla walked around the prince’s complex, stopping everyone she encountered to say hello and to thank them. Only a small amount of her energy was needed to assess their intentions. A few remained anxious about the prince’s capture, but she sensed it was more fear of the unknown than any hostility toward her and the Invisible Swords. Two of the guards tried to hide their anger, which stirred suspicion. For them, she used extra power to dig for the reason. Both were loyal to Yates and hoped for an opportunity to rescue him. Shyla noted their names to give to Rendor.
When the air around her seemed to thicken and drag on her body, she figured she’d reached her limit. She returned to Rendor’s office. Disappointed that the sleeping cushion was empty, she kicked off her boots and crawled under the fur.
Sometime later, warmth invaded her uneasy dreams and a solid presence pulled her close. She sighed and melted against him. Her worries soothed.
She woke wrapped in his arms with her head on his bare chest. Taking a moment to breathe in his scent and listen to the steady rhythm of his heart, she kept still. Then she ran a hand over the muscles of his stomach. His heartbeat increased its pace. So did hers as she explored the hard planes, her fingers dipping toward his waist.
Shyla lifted her head and met his gaze.
“I hope we never stop meeting like this,” he said, then he kissed her.
Heat spread throughout her body as she deepened it, drinking in the taste of him. He groaned and his hands snaked underneath her tunic, resting on her back. His touch burned her skin. They kissed until breathless.
When they broke apart, Shyla sat up and plucked at her tunic. It chafed on her overly sensitive skin. She wanted it off.
Rendor took her hands in his, stilling them. His expression was a combination of desire and concern. “We can take it slow.”
“Remember when you said I didn’t know everything? Before you kissed me that first time?”
Confusion flashed on his face, but he nodded.
“Then afterwards you said that kiss was just the beginning.”
“You have a very good memory.”
“I do.”
“Do you also have a point?” he teased.
“I do.” She smiled. “You were right. I don’t know everything and I want to learn what comes after a kiss like that.”
Fire ignited in his gaze as he pulled her close and kissed her again, sending pulses of desire straight to her core.
“I think…” he breathed. “That your education…will be extensive.” His lips brushed her neck. “And require…multiple sessions.” Rendor nibbled on her earlobe.
She gasped, surprised by the intense spike of passion that speared her.
“You’ve much to…learn.” He pulled off her tunic and drew her close.
Shyla’s breasts brushed against his chest. Shivers raced along her skin. “Teach me.”
Rendor taught her how a touch could make her heart race and her body tremble. But most of all, with his words and actions, he showed her why the joining together of two people was called making love.
Much later, Shyla lay entangled with Rendor. She watched his chest expand and contract with each breath as he slept. The powerful and stubborn man had shown incredible gentleness. She suppressed the desire to wake him up for another lesson. He needed to rest. So did she, but her body hummed with the aftereffects of pleasure. Eventually, she drifted into a light sleep.
A loud roar woke them as a rumbling vibration shook the floor. Rendor and Shyla exchanged a horrified look.
Everyone living in an underground city knew and dreaded that combination of sounds.
It meant a gas explosion, followed by a cave-in.
Nineteen
She and Rendor dressed quickly as another boom rattled hard enough to knock over the lantern. A third roar rocked the furniture and she staggered as the sand clock crashed to the floor. It had read angle three-twenty-five.
“The explosions are not an accident but an attack,” Rendor said, strapping on his sword.
It took her a moment to comprehend his words. “Do you really think the Heliacal Priestess would blow holes in her floor to get down to us? It’s—”
“Effective. Come on.” Rendor headed out into the hall.
A cloud of dust swirled in the trol light. Shyla’s boots crunched on grit. She scanned the ceiling, searching for cracks and possible falling debris. The priestess never liked being one level above the Water Prince. In this case, it was a tactical advantage.
Another rumble shook the floor, this one louder than the others. The vibrations shot up her legs and she stumbled.