“No. You were shouting your thoughts at me.”
My cheeks heat. Yes, I was demanding that hedie. “What’s it called?” I ask. “This … ability.”
“Mindpathing. I know of only two sigilmarked who can do it, and both are gold-crowned who were blessed by their goddess Staleia. It’s much more common for vampires and maginari.”
I never asked Staleia for this. And I have no doubt such a power would have required years of worship in return.
There’s only one way I can explain this sudden power. Because the only other time I’vemindpathedwas with Antigrus.
“Use it well.”
My stomach twists into tight knots. “How do I make it stop?”
“You take your last breath.”
Great.
“Control it, or it will control you,” Rorrik says disinterestedly. His gaze slides past me, his expression turning lethal. “Primus.”
Tiernon places his hand on my shoulder, and I’m too relieved to shake it off.
“Rorrik.” He keeps his eyes on the emperor’s son, although he gives my shoulder a gentle, reassuring squeeze.
Rorrik doesn’t miss the movement. One side of his mouth kicks up in a lazy smirk.
“Shouldn’t you be off terrorizing someone?” Tiernon asks stiffly.
Rorrik’s eyes meet mine. “I thought I was.”
The words are almost teasing, and for some strange reason, I want to … smile. Biting my lower lip, I clamp down on the urge.
Rorrik’s eyes narrow, and something I can’t define flickers through them. When they leave my face, it’s as if the air around me turns cold.
Tiernon and Rorrik have another of their silent staring competitions, and I shift on my feet. With a sharp nod at Tiernon, Rorrik turns and prowls down the corridor.
Behind Tiernon, two novices stand, waiting and watching. He glances over his shoulder as if he’s forgotten they were there.
“Thank you, Drewsin and Cameri, you’re dismissed.”
I roll my eyes. “I don’t understand why you, the emperor, or Rorrik could possibly need novices following you around all day.”
He sighs. “The emperor thinks it’s symbolic. He also believes after a year of being expected to thrust their bodies between us and any hint of danger, loyalty to the empire will be ingrained in them for the rest of their careers.”
“Hmm.” Maybe that’s my answer. Maybe I can find a novice whodoesn’thave that loyalty. And we can work together.
“Arvelle?”
I blink. Tiernon frowns at me. “I heard you let Orna goad you.”
“Yeah, well, we both know my decision making has been compromised since I walked into this place.”
“Why were you talking to Rorrik?”
“Hecorneredme.”
“I know. Why is he so interested in you?” There’s a hint of something that sounds almost like suspicion in his voice and I don’t like it.
“I have no idea. But … I need to talk to you.”
