Fire Rose by Jenny Schwartz

Author:Jenny Schwartz [Schwartz, Jenny]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jenny Schwartz
Published: 2016-06-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Darek’s mouth was a breath from hers when Laila vanished. She reappeared on the far side of the study and wrapped her arms around her body. She shook with a volatile mix of desire and fear.

“God. I didn’t mean to frighten you.” He gripped the edge of the desk. The wood creaked.

“I’m not afraid…of you.”

He frowned. “Then why?” A gesture indicated her panicked retreat.

“I said from the beginning, this isn’t a personal visit.” She braced for the blast of his anger because she’d been the one to break her own rule.

It was his pain that had compelled her to reach out, to touch him. She knew about loneliness. It was what evil did: it isolated you, and in your loneliness you were seduced to despair.

Except Darek was too strong to fall apart. He was a guardian, a fighter. What he needed from her was help to find the sorcerer. She could do that.

“I have old manuscripts on magic. I made a study of sorcery after Solomon cursed us djinn. I pulled them out last night. I’ll need to study them again, looking for ways a sorcerer or his magic might be found. His wards—if nothing else—ought to leave a mark on the world.”

“Bring the manuscripts here,” Darek said. “No, I don’t want to take them from you. Pursuing a sorcerer, you need a safe retreat.”

“I have rooms.”

“And I have been reinforcing the wards here for centuries. The sorcerer cannot enter my home, not even if he kills me.”

Laila blinked. “Wards?”

He smiled. “They didn’t touch you, did they, fire rose? You are welcome in my home.”

“I won’t sleep with you.” She blushed at her panicked response.

“I got the message when you vanished rather than kiss me. I won’t hurt you and I won’t push you. Stay in my home and be safe.”

“I have my own safe rooms.”

There was a heartbeat of silence.

“Please.”

She looked away, as uncomfortable as Darek with his raw plea.

He cleared his throat. “If the sorcerer hurt you, I’d be cursed with guilt. I involved you in this fight.”

The less personal plea gave her an excuse to accept. She nodded.

“Thank you.” He straightened from the desk. “There is a guest room on the floor below this one.”

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