Dralin Read Online Free PDF Page B

wizards and magical items
than anywhere in the world, so it’s a necessity.”
    “It sounds so dangerous.” She wanted to
touch it again, but realized it would be inappropriate. “I think
you must be very dangerous, too, to be in the Guard, no?”
    “Yes, I am . . . very dangerous,” he
admitted with downcast eyes. Then he looked up. “I promise I’m not
dangerous to you. I’ll protect you with my life.”
    Sheela returned the gaze intently. “I know.
I’m not afraid of you. In fact, you make me feel safer than I’ve
ever felt in my life.”
    “Ladies, gentleman, women of ill repute and
rogues from dark alleys. We welcome you all to the Gilded Lilly
Theatre!” The audience hushed as a foppish actor with an enormous
hat and booming voice announced the start of the show.
    “May I put my arm around you?” Frath
whispered in her ear. Sheela nodded and snuggled close to him. The
feel of his thigh and armored side sent a thrill through her. She
idly noticed that his leg was more than twice as thick as hers
before paying attention to the actor again.
    “Today we have a most wonderful show for
you. Originally we were going to perform a terrible show, but
decided against it at the last moment!” His words drew laughter
from the crowd and Sheela joined in as well. Frath’s rumbling
chuckle fell pleasantly on her ears and she could feel it through
his chest too.
    Leaning down to her, he said. “Some of the
humor is bawdy. I didn’t think of that before . . .”
    “It’s alright,” she assured him, although
she didn’t have any idea how she would react to it. The thought of
watching something bawdy sent a thrill through her veins.
    Sheela blushed numerous times throughout the
show and laughed loudly even more often. A couple of times, Frath
told her they could go if she was uncomfortable, but she just told
him to hush so she could listen. A little over an hour later, the
show was done and Sheela had a large grin on her face while her
cheeks ached from laughter and were heated from blushing.
    They spent the rest of the day strolling
around Carnival, watching various performers and snacking on treats
that Frath bought for her. Sheela was thankful that she didn’t eat
a lot so he wouldn’t spend too much money, not knowing how much he
could afford. As the sun lowered to the tops of the buildings in
the west, Frath suggested they head back, not wanting to have her
out at night when Carnival became more dangerous along with the
rest of the city.
    Before they reached the Mosh District, Frath
drew her into one of the stalls selling jewelry. It wasn’t
expensive, but not cheap costume jewelry either. “How much for the
silver feather chain?” he asked the skinny vendor, pointing at a
sturdy but feminine chain with a small feather dipped in
silver.
    “That’s a bargain at eight silver pieces,”
the man replied. He was so skinny that Sheela thought he might turn
into a skeleton if he didn’t eat soon. She gasped at the mention of
the price, thinking how amazed she was at having two simple
coppers, each worth only a tenth of a silver piece.
    “Oh,” Frath replied with the enthusiasm gone
from his voice. He looked guiltily at Sheela, and then back at the
necklace.
    Both shock and joy jolted her heart as she
realized he wanted to buy it for her, followed by panic that he
might actually do so. “Frath, no . . .” she told him, putting a
hand on his chest. “You’ve given me the most wonderful day of my
life. If you wasted that much money on me, the day would be ruined
by guilt.”
    “Here now, you’re a pretty girl and it’s not
a waste!” the vendor exclaimed in concern at the thought of losing
a sale. His voice rose an octave. “I’ll lower the price to six
silver, a bargain, but just for you!”
    Sheela ignored him. “No, Frath. Please. I am
so happy just to be with you.”
    “Five silver, that’s my final offer!” the
vendor bargained desperately.
    “You made the day worth living,” Frath