Shadows Book 1 in the World of Shadows by Cheree Alsop Page B

to clean off with the scented water.
    It took me two splashes to stop and laugh at
myself. I had never before cared about cleanliness. Wash water
wasn’t readily available for Duskies, though the Luminos and Nathos
often complained of how we smelled. I had become used to making due
with what cleanliness I could contrive from the remains of my
ration of drinking water in the morning, and occasionally sneaking
into the pools at the bottom of the Caves when no one was looking.
I had been whipped for swimming in the pools before, even though
that’s what they were for; but no one wanted to share dirt with a
Duskie.
    I used my sleeve to dry my face, then
studied the bed. The blankets looked soft, comfortable, and
beckoning. I glanced sheepishly around the room to make sure no one
was watching, then flung myself with wild abandon onto the bed. The
blankets sank in like a cave bear’s thick fur, and the mattress
held me as though I was a mouse in a tiny burrow.
    I hesitated a moment, uneasy though I
couldn't figure out why. I glanced around the room, then rose and
searched for the small peep holes craftily hidden among the
swirling flower scroll work. It took me a second, but I finally
located them and took a picture down from another wall and hung it
over the holes. Satisfied, I curled into a ball on the mattress and
made myself promise to get up in a few heartbeats; then I was
wandering Firen Caves in my dreams.
     
     

Chapter 11
     
    “ Be glad you missed such a
boring breakfast.” Axon’s voice jolted me from sleep and I sat up
quickly.
    Axon stared at me from the door and a touch
of color brushed his cheeks. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to wake
you.”
    “ No, no,” I protested,
moving to sit on the side of the bed in order to get my wits about
me. “Come in, please.”
    He smiled and let the door shut behind him
before he made his way to the bed and leaned against the frame.
Though he looked rested, weariness touched his eyes and made him
look older than the days on the desert. He hesitated, then sat on
the edge of the bed as far from me as he could get. “I’m sorry for
the informality. I’m just afraid if I don’t sit down, I’ll fall
down at this point.”
    I couldn’t help but smile at his honesty.
“Sounds like you had a marvelous time.”
    Axon shot me a withering look softened by
the smile that played about his lips. “It was marvelous. What a
perfect word to describe it.” He studied his hands for a minute,
then fell backward on the bed with sigh that was loud and
self-deprecating. “I don’t know what to do, Nexa.” He turned his
head to look at me and the icy blue of his eyes caught in the light
of the sun that streamed through the windows.
    I met his gaze and tried to pretend that my
heart didn't beat louder at his nearness. “What do you need to
do?”
    He frowned and his eyes took on a distant
look. “Marry Princess Tiseria, I suppose.”
    “ Is that a problem?” I
asked, though I definitely felt like it was.
    He frowned, his eyes still distant, and gave
a small nod. “For the empire, no, but for me, yes.”
    “ Is there a
difference?”
    This time, Axon focused on me. He gave a
small smile. “You’re a shrewd one, aren’t you?” He pushed himself
to a sitting position and leaned with his back against one of the
posters. He smoothed the blanket under his left hand. “I should
marry her then, for the empire.”
    “ If that’s what you must
do,” I answered, but my heart slowed. I rushed on, “Is there a
reason not to?”
    He looked back at me and a jolt passed
between our gazes. “Love.”
    “ What-what do you mean?” My
voice was light, breathless.
    Axon tore his gaze away and rose to stalk
the length of the room. He held his hands behind his back and toyed
with the royal ring on his first finger. A dark purple gem winked
in the light. “I don’t love her.”
    I felt like I could breathe again and rose
to stand next to the bed. “Is love so important?”
    He shook his