Page 72 (1/1)

"Shiny?" All thoughts of his real naed a blanket over hi a quick animal sound "It’s Oree Oree"

"Oree" His voice was hoarse, as mine had been, perhaps for the sa away from my touch

He was mortal, Dateh had said, but I knew the truth Beneath the ht, and he had spent five days trapped in a lightless hell Hurrying across the room, I found the lantern, which thankfully I had not yet blown out Would such a tiny light help hi it on the shelf above Shiny’s bed His eyes were shut tight, and all his muscles quivered like wires ready to snap He was only a little war no better option, I slipped under the covers with him and tried to warm him with my body This was not easy, as the cot was narrow and Shiny took up all but a few inches of it Finally I had to cli my head on his chest I wasn’t fond of the overly inti else to be done

I was coht by surprise when Shiny suddenly wrapped hi me solidly in place with an arainst his shoulder, and his leg thrown over mine I was not quite pinned but I couldn’t move much, either Not that I tried; I was too stunned for that, wondering what had proesture of affection If that it was

He seeht hiradually drained out of his body, his breath againstrear the whole day asleep, I could not quite help it; I slept again

When I awoke, I guessed that it was late Near ive or take a few hours I was still sleepy but had a growing need to urinate, which was a problele of Shiny’s body His long, slow breaths told me he was asleep, and deeply, which he probably needed after his ordeal

Working carefully and slowly, I extricatedposition, froed to clamber over hirown urgent, so I stood to hurry

A hand caught ?" Shiny rasped

Taking a deep breath to slow my heart, I said, "The bathrooo

He didn’t move I shifted from one foot to the other uncoo, the floor is going to be very wet in a ," he said, very softly I had no idea what thatand tightening and loosening again, as if he could not quite will it to open

Confused, I reached out to touch his face His broas furrowed He drew in another deep breath through gritted teeth, then jerkily, deliberately, released my wrist

I puzzled over this for a moment, but nature warned me not to dawdle I felt his eyes on me for the whole hurried walk across the room

It was better when I came out; the room held less tension When I went over to him, I reached for his face and found his bowed shoulders, head hanging between the race

I sat down beside hihed "I think I deserve an explanation, if only so I can plan ly"

Predictably, he said nothing

Whatever lingering reverence I’d felt for him vanished I was tired For months I had endured his moods and his silence, his temper, his insults Because of him, I had lost my life in Shadow In my churlish moments, I could even blame him for my captivity Dateh had found me because I’d killed the Order-Keepers, which wouldn’t have happened if Shiny hadn’tup to return to ht hter this time "You will stay," he said

I tried to yank o of me!"

"Stay," he snapped "I co his hold, and stepped back quickly, finding the table andso that it was betweenwith fury "You’re not a god anymore, remember? You’re just a pathetic mortal as helpless as the rest of us"