Silver Mirrors by A. A. Aguirre

Author:A. A. Aguirre [Aguirre, A. A.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub, mobi
Tags: Mystery, Fantasy, Romance, Adult, Science Fiction
ISBN: 9780425258200
Amazon: B00FX7LVZ8
Goodreads: 18104927
Publisher: Ace
Published: 2014-04-29T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 18

HOURS LATER, RITSUKO STOOD IN THE ROOM BESPOKEN FOR her use. It was simple but clean with a single bed and a dresser for storing personal possessions. Since it was tucked beneath the eaves, it had only a single window, through which she stared out over the hamlet, where villagers went about their business. A woman shopped at the market while a boy herded a flock of sheep through town.

That’s something you don’t see in the city.

After she’d bathed, her cuts and bruises had been treated, and they’d eaten a simple but hearty meal. We’re safe. The night on the mountain had been the longest of her life, and she couldn’t forget how she’d felt when she fell the second time, dangling, powerless but for Irahi’s strong arms. Failure threatened to choke her. I couldn’t save us.

Never been trapped quite like that before. Hate feeling helpless.

She hoped Irahi’s ribs didn’t bother him too much. Though she was exhausted, tension left her unable to sleep. The others had insisted everyone needed to rest before pressing on, but she felt keyed up in addition to the bone-deep weariness. She paced quietly, feeling every bruise.

A tap on the door distracted her. It was a tentative sound, as if the person on the other side thought she might be sleeping. That would be lovely, but no. Ritsuko answered, mustering a blank, courteous expression.

Mikani stepped in and closed the door behind him, more disheveled than usual, dark circles under bloodshot eyes. “You look like half a mountain fell on you. And yet, you’re not in bed.” He stepped closer, his gaze darting from her face to her bandaged arms and back.

“Too much excitement. I haven’t settled down yet.”

“I could ask Hu to mix something up. It’d give him something to do other than complain about the food and the shoddy job the herbalist did patching him up.” He reached up to brush a strand of hair from her forehead.

“I don’t think that would help,” she said softly.

“I could . . .” He trailed off and let out a long breath. Then he shook his head, pulling her close. “Damn it, Celeste. I thought that you were . . . just, damn it, woman, I thought I’d lost you.”

“Me too,” she whispered. “It’s not every day that I fall off a mountain.”

Twice.

She leaned her head on his chest and wrapped her arms about his waist. His heartbeat was a comforting rhythm beneath her ear. That was the only thing that kept me going. Knowing you’d find me. She hadn’t dared speak her hope aloud, but she’d known if it came down to it, Mikani would use his ability to search, as he’d done for the murderer in the tunnels even though it hurt him. She was rather amazed to find him still upright after that much exertion. Usually, he’d have taken something and passed out by now.

“And you bloody well better not make a habit out of it.” Mikani guided her to the bed, nudged her into sitting as he came to his knees in front of her.

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