One Thousand Kisses by Jody Wallace Read Free Book Online

lot about a person by the clothes he wears and how he dirties them.”
    “Can you indeed?” Even he knew one hundreds were considered conventional, for beginners and old married couples. What was so bad about conventional? He enjoyed what humans called the missionary position. Functional and convenient.
    “If you’re not, I stand to lose a considerable number of chits in the betting league,” she confessed. “You’re not on a seven-hundred streak?”
    He wasn’t sure what a seven-hundred streak entailed, but since it involved sex, he wasn’t doing it. “I’m not currently in a relationship.”
    She plonked her elbows on the table. “You poor man. I almost believe you.”
    He inclined his head. “Then it’s settled. Eight transportation globes and my laundry returned tomorrow, to include delivery.” Haggling over laundry payments wasn’t a wise use of his time. He’d find another voter to talk to.
    “If you’re not seeing anyone,” she said, fiddling with her quill, “do you want to be?”
    He froze in the act of removing the spell globes from his pocket. Despite his status, he wasn’t frequently importuned. “You’re attractive, madam, but I’m not at liberty to—”
    She covered her mouth with a hand to conceal a guffaw. Not very well. “You and me, burning up the sheets? No.”
    “My mistake.” He added another globe to his fee.
    “What I mean is, who do you want? I can tell you who they’ve accepted cards from, who wants to offer them cards, and what rituals they favor. I can even tell you who wants your card.”
    “How industrious.” Curiosity about Anisette piqued and receded. The shield he’d placed around her chambers strengthened her security and tracked her visitors. He knew everything else he needed from the Seers and didn’t want a recital of her failed bond tests.
    Some day soon, she’d find what she was seeking.
    Him.
    “What’s your poison, Primary? Better yet, what’s your fantasy?”
    If he shared his intentions toward Anisette, this woman would sell it all over Court. “I appreciate the—”
    Something pinged the edge of his senses. Something urgent. Something…
    Skythia? He opened his mind. She was having dinner two floors above and in no danger. Was he hallucinating from exhaustion?
    Help me, help me, help me.
    “Anisette,” he whispered. Was this residue from his nightmares? How could he sense her?
    More importantly, how could he help her?
    “Princess Anisette?” The laundress scribbled in her black book. “Wow. You and Torval, head-to-head, love and politics. He’s an eight-hundred man, Primary. Gotta watch those guys.”
    “She’s in danger. I must go.”
    “How do you know she’s in danger?” asked the laundress, but her question fell on empty air. Embor had transported himself out of the room.
    “I can think of a way.” She rubbed her hands together. “I am going to be so rich.”
     
    By the time she reached the trainee’s wing, Ani was crying so hard she could barely see the narrow stone corridor. She fumbled up the stairs, tripping on her gown, hoping her sobs didn’t attract attention. Everyone should be at the evening meal.
    Now if she could find her door and undo the magical lock. She wiped her eyes, but tears continued to fall. Her head throbbed. She knew she was having a bad reaction after being so terrified, but she couldn’t think of a remedy.
    Why had Warran and Ophelia been convinced the bond would take? What if they changed their minds about letting her go? As soon as she considered filing a complaint, the memories slipped out of her grasp like small fish.
    Fear. Hatred. Ice.
    The lights in the stairwell flickered right before the ice blinded her. Her ears filled with magical pressure. When they popped, she sensed a presence.
    Two hands grasped her shoulders from behind. “Princess.”
    Ani screamed and struck out with agony in her fingertips. Her power flashed, and she was rewarded with a hiss. The taste of pain.
    Strained speech,