I knew he was still upset with me. Yet the man did watch out for me; I would have to apologize to him later. I introduced him to Kade and had to stifle a laugh as the two men sized each other up.
They were complete opposites. Looking even more broad-shouldered next to Kade’s lean physique, Ulrick’s perfect features lacked the calm confidence in Kade’s tanned face.
“A Stormdancer?” Ulrick asked. “Shouldn’t you be dancing in the storm?” A legitimate question, but Ulrick’s tone implied a sneering disregard.
“The season is over. I have other business to attend to,” Kade said without emotion.
“What kind of business?”
Kade glanced at me. His annoyance barely concealed.
“He knows about Sir and Tricky,” I said.
“Then perhaps you should fill him in on the new developments.”
“What developments,” Ulrick asked.
“Later,” I said as we arrived at the east guest quarters. I talked to the night manager. There was a suite empty. The manager offered to escort Kade to his rooms.
Another questioning look and I assured Kade I would be fine. Ulrick hovered next to me in a protective stance.
“Rest,” I said to the Stormdancer. “I’ll meet you after breakfast and show you the market.”
Kade nodded, following the manager. Instead of going to his own rooms, Ulrick trailed me to mine.
“Don’t you mean we’ll take him to the market?” he asked.
Remembering my harsh words earlier and his efforts to keep me safe, I ignored his snide tone. “Of course.”
“What did he mean by new developments?”
I mulled over potential responses as we entered my apartment. Already overprotective, Ulrick wouldn’t leave me alone for a second if he knew Sir had murdered the glassmakers. Watering down Kade’s conviction that Sir’s group was involved, I explained about Indra and Nodin’s death and how they may have been killed.
My attempts to lessen the threat failed to work. Ulrick stood in the middle of my living room and declared he would sleep on the couch.
“Tomorrow I’ll request an armed guard to stay with you until those men are caught.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but paused. There had been a time when I would have welcomed an armed guard by my side, when I would have reveled in Ulrick’s attention and concern for my welfare. Yet, I was irritated by his assumption that I couldn’t take care of myself. I escaped Tricky before, I could do it again.
Could I? Doubt flared, but I reviewed the skills I’d learned since my last encounter with them. I still needed to explore a few more abilities and discover how to repeat the magic of trapping those spiders.
Perhaps I wouldn’t be able to escape, but I had enough knowledge to avoid getting kidnapped in the first place. I hoped.
“Ulrick, I understand your worry and I appreciate your efforts. I’m really sorry I snapped at you earlier. I think I know why I was angry at you. You assumed I couldn’t protect myself—wait.” I held a hand up to stop his words. “I am capable of defending myself. And I am being cautious, but I don’t think we need an armed guard following us around all day.”
He considered my words. “This is the first time you’ve seemed confident about Sir and Tricky. Is it because that Stormdancer is here? Think he could better defend you with his magical powers?”
I suppressed my desire to throttle him. “You missed the point completely! You’re acting …” The word stuck in my throat.
He didn’t hesitate to say it. “Jealous?” When I nodded, he continued, “Now you’re missing the point. It isn’t jealousy. It’s fear.”
“Fear?” Not the emotion I expected.
“Yes. Fear. I’m afraid you’ll be hurt or killed. I’m afraid I won’t be able to protect you. I’m afraid I’ll lose you to another man.”
22
I NEEDED TO sit down. I’d heard other people talk about having to sit down when shocked by an event or revelation and I had dismissed the notion as pure exaggeration. Little did I realize the actual physical weakness. It felt as if my bones had dissolved and my muscles could no longer support my weight.
“I tried to remain the friend.” Ulrick prowled around the room as he talked. “Remain the colleague you introduced to your family. The partner who was concerned about your safety. You kept me at arm’s length and I thought I would be content with our friendship.” He stopped and skewered me with an intent stare. “But I can’t do it anymore. Not when I saw you with that Stormdancer. I want more than friendship.”
No sound escaped my throat. My body froze as my mind whirled, sorting through all the unexpected information.
“Opal, what’s wrong?” Ulrick grabbed my arm. “You’re swaying. Sit down before you fall down.” He guided me to the couch. “Guess that’s the last thing you wanted to hear right now. You’ve made it clear to me you’re not interested.”
When I sank into the cushions, I pulled Ulrick down beside me. His green eyes filled with alarm.
“You weren’t the only one afraid,” I said. “I kept a distance on purpose.” I paused, thinking of Pazia’s comments, how she accused me of acting better than everyone. “I was afraid, too. Afraid of rejection. Afraid of …” My thoughts shied away from the fear lurking deep within my soul where I had shoved it over four years ago.
Ulrick put an arm around my shoulders and drew me close. “Tell me what else you’re afraid of, so I can fix it.”
I wished it was that easy. “Afraid of my reaction to your … ah … attentions. Another man …”
“Raped you?” The muscles in his arm tensed, but he waited.
“No.” I closed my eyes, not wanting to see his expression. “Tortured. Threatened.” The words burned my mouth. “I haven’t told anyone about it.”
“Why not?”
Ashamed, embarrassed and humiliated. I had been so cowed into submission, so eager to make him stop the pain; I would have done anything for him. “It’s … difficult.” I sucked in a breath, trying to keep the storm of emotions from overwhelming me.
“Was this when you were kidnapped?”
“Yes. Did someone tell you?”
“Mara mentioned it and a few of the students. But they all said a woman held you.”
“She had a partner.” Revulsion ripped through my body.
“Was he caught?”
“No, but he had to have been killed during the Warper Battle. He was a strong Warper and he wanted to use me for a ritual, but Alea wouldn’t let him. She needed me to trick …”
“Yelena,” Ulrick finished. “I heard.”
“And the worst part was … I was glad to do it.” There I said it. Shouldn’t I feel better? “I wanted to get away from him. I had no qualms about pricking Yelena with Curare.” I waited for the admonishment about putting myself before another. Or he would offer empty words of comfort, telling me how it all worked out in the end. I kept my eyes shut tight, bracing for his reaction.
“Living with your decision must be hard. Nothing I or anyone can say will give you any peace. You must reconcile your actions in your heart. In the meantime, we’ll take it slow.”
His hand stroked my cheek. I opened my eyes. He leaned closer and our lips met. A tender kiss, short and sweet.
He