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"If you lace o" I turnedhappened "You’ve never done this before, have you?" I glanced overlike a little boy "I can honestly say that you’rewarm, and quickly turned away "It’s easy You just start at the bottoers on the base of asp before I could stop it

He paused "I’ed "I’m fine I must be a little ticklish down there Go on"

He did and I bitup and downto other places It was all I could do to stand still I was glad my back was to him and he couldn’t see my face

"I think I threaded the laces evenly before I put it on" My hten theht do you like it?"

Oh ood," I told hiht now

I felt four tugs in sharp succession If he kept that up, I was going to have to hold on to the bedpost

"How’s that?" His voice had turned husky

"That’s good" And then some "Wait a ood breath, then put my hands on my waist and pushed the fabric toward the back "There That should work even better"

Mychael’s hands arainstso close that I could feel the heat froard said you and Justinius went to the elven euards with you, so I assume that I’m still a free woave the laces a sharp tug and I bit back a squeak

"It wasn’t for lack of trying on their part" All signs of playful were gone "Giles Keril argued that since you’re a subject of the elven king, you should be in their custody, not ours I reminded hiardless of their race or kingdom of birth-- unless convicted of a cri as they desire it"

As he talked, his hands became firm and sure on the laces "So I have to officially ask you" His voice was low and close to my ear "Do you desire it?"

I froze "Desire it?"

"Political asylum"

Oh, that "Yes, I desire it very much"

"Good There’s a docun Piaras will need to do the sas until the Khrynsani and Bal ere running out of This will buy us some more I will find a solution"

I wondered if my father had heard the same prohred and run Or in e the subject

"I sent a e was here when I got back There are only a few places on the island that we knoith cells like you described I have so them out now"

Mychael put his hands firmly around my waist, lifted me a scant inch or two off the floor, turnedthe door, and set ht," he explained "The fireplace is over here"

Of course

"Did Sedge know if the kidnapped boy is a spellsinger?" I asked

Mychael resu "His nao He’s a spellsinger in one of the nightclubs"

"Mychael, three spellsingers are no coincidence," I said

"I agree"

"And Banan Ryce has yet to do anything with them or to the When I was in the tub, Sarad Nukpana said I should look to s I’m ashamed to say it, but Taltek Balmorlan is an elf That means he’s ‘ency has sohts, but today he and Balot hiers-- including Piaras--will be on Sirens’s stage"

Mychael finished"Yes, I know I’ve already requested that the recital be canceled, or at least postponed"

"And?"

"Justinius said no"

I turned and stared at him in disbelief "Justinius said no? The Twelve I could understand, but Justinius? His granddaughter is singing tonight He can’t possibly want her there Students are ers I’ve linked with theether"