A Court of Shift and shadow

XXII

Katies POV:

"I need to test on someone before, to be sure." I said, Galads face frozen in shock, like mine. "And we still need to find where the thorn is, but I think I have something..." He kissed me. And for a moment that little box in which I had hidden my feelings opened up. My hand moved up his chest and neck, to rest over his shoulder. One more moment and I would give in. Every part of my body wanted to give in. And that hidden part of me pushed to get out, to be free. Before I could give in, he separated our lips.

"I am sorry..." He said first, his hand on my cheek. Slowly letting his thumb traced over my skin. I placed my hand over his. feeling its warmth, and... The scent of the sea... His scent was the sea... That box in me kept on pounding, wanting to get out. "We need to talk about a lot of things..."

"But after this is done, and it is almost done..." I said, my words more of a whisper. I had never let myself reflect on his beauty, the dark skin, violet eyes, the defined cheekbones. The smile and dimple that came with it. His dark hair... The muscular arms and chest. The warmth in eyes, the elegance of his moment. And still... His hands were rough, years of training had made its mark on them. And still, that smooth touch, the gentle stroke...

"Then we will find someone to test on." He whispered. So close... and still so far away. He let go of my cheek, and I looked down on the carpet, maybe I was blushing, or it was just extra warm in the room today... Who was I trying to fool... I told myself to hold on for a moment, to get things sorted and over. And then... Then I could give in, release all that I had hidden away. Just a day more, or two. Galad left the room, and I started to collect myself.

The saliva worked, I just wanted to test it, to make sure. And then it was the problem of the thorn. The Manicores poison came from the thorn, the poison without the thorn would stop working after a day or two. But for as long as it stayed, the poison made its way into the prey's body. The Spy must be the one who knew that information, and they needed to find it. I got up and took a deep breath, Galads touch lingerd at my cheek, my lips...

"Collect yourself Katie..." I said out loud, like it would help. Every part of my body was tense, on edge. Nervous for the task ahead of me. I just wanted to be sure, and nothing more than that. A deep breath, and another. A roll of the neck and shoulders, trying to loosen the tension in my body. To relax. I left the library, walking down stairs, Azriel was standing there, Amren too. Had Galad informed them, or was he somewhere and tried to collect himself?

"Azriel, Amren." I said, my voice miraculously holding up. "I think I have a working Neutraliser for the poison." Amen nodded.

"We know..." She said, "And we have one that you can try it on." Galad appeared in the room, his shadows gathering at his feet.

"He won't speak to us." He said, "But maybe to her." He looked at me.

"Who?" I asked. "And why?" How did he seem so calm? I was still shaking inside, trembling after his touch.

"Az has found the spy, disguised as a kitchen servant." Amren said. "And he refuses to talk." The smell of blood hit me, Azriels clothes had blood on them.

"But he might talk to you." Gald said again, keeping his distance. "And we could try and see if it works."

"I am not sure that I want to try on a Fae..." I said, "Maybe an animal first, if it doesn't work." For if it failed, I would have killed someone.

"This spy is nothing more than an animal..." Azriel said. And for the first time I got scared by the Shadowsinger. His eyes were stone cold, and his face a hard mask. His voice was more of an icey whisper than the voice that had talked to me in the Summer Court.