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shall willingly die to protect a single hair on her head. She
shall not even dip a toe in her bath without Sal and I both knowing of it and
judging the quality and temperature of the water ourselves.”
    “At last,” Sal breathed.
      The look of wonder and expectation on his face
made her stomach quiver with dread.
    Laughing, Rhaekhar shook his head, as
though he feared to hear what the young Blood would say. “What?”
    Sal grinned. “Now I shall know what sort
of underclothes you wear beneath your armor.” He lowered his voice, quirking
that damned dimple at her. “I’ve heard tales of some extraordinary things from
your nobles. Have you a pair of crotchless drawers, Khul’lanna?”
    “It’s time for our bath now.” Face
blazing, she seized Rhaekhar’s arm and dragged him toward stone archway. Had
they spied on her, even when she’d been in the seamstress’s changing room?
“Privacy, Dharman. You promised.”
    “Aye, Khul’lanna.” Dharman slapped Sal
on the back. “Enjoy this night well, for you shall not be alone again.”
    “Until we’re safe on the Plains,” she
retorted.
    “When you’re safe,” Dharman amended. He
stared at her, but he seemed to see beyond her, his gaze distant as though he
looked at some future wreathed in shadow. “And reunited with Khul.”
    Chills raced down her arms. He, too,
seemed sad, the look of compassion and regret in his eyes unequal to a young
man who’d just learned he had the opportunity to see her naked as well as sleep
in her bed.
    Each Blood received gifts from Vulkar,
often a sense of foretelling in order to better protect the one he guarded. Did
he see something? Was Khul right to worry about leaving her behind? She wanted
to ask, but hesitated.
    Do
I really want to know?
    Raising her chin, she turned away,
followed Rhaekhar into the chamber, and shut the door firmly behind her. She
already knew Shadow lay in wait for her. She heard its crooning call of death
each and every time she closed her eyes.
    Shannari dal’Dainari ran from nothing
and no one, but she’d rather not know the truth.
    * * *
    BUILT GENERATIONS AGO OVER A natural hot
spring, the Palace of Shanhasson enjoyed an unlimited supply of hot water.
Inside her private bath, the sunken marble-tiled pool was large enough for all
nine of her Blood to join them, and possibly even Khul’s if needs be. Not that
she’d ever consider the possibility. Dharman and Sal watching her bathe would
be embarrassing enough. She couldn’t comprehend Varne taking a soak with them.
    Low benches were built into the walls,
perfect for submersing up to her chin. Mats lined the sides, and steam
thickened in the air. A tray held several bottles of oils and perfumes, but the
amber-colored bottle had been a special purchase she’d made just yesterday.
Benton had brought a most interesting selection of items from Far Illione and
the deserts beyond.
    With a quick yank, Rhaekhar removed his memsha and stood magnificently nude.
“Are you up for this challenge?”
    Muscle, muscle everywhere, and she
planned to lick and bite every inch.
    Shannari gave him a smoldering smile and
began removing her armor. She suddenly regretted her adamant request for
privacy. Some of the buckles—
    Unobtrusively, Dharman slipped up behind
her and assisted without her request. He lifted the breastplate over her head,
followed by the leather jerkin, but then he stepped away. Impressed that he
wasn’t going to push his advantage, she thought, Thank you .
    She felt his smile in the bond as he
shut the door. :As long as Sal doesn’t
get to see your underclothes before me.:
    Rhaekhar chuckled at whatever look was
on her face.
    “Why is everyone so terribly concerned
about my clothing or lack thereof?”
    “Because we love you, my heart. You know
those lads would slit their own throats with a smile if you asked.”
    “I won’t ask,” she grumbled, slipping
out of the stiff leather pants and her linen—crotched, thank you