Free The Warrior (Kiss Me at Midnight) by S.S. Skye Page B

as he manipulated it.
    "I’ve never seen such control before."
    Edander startled, recalling his fire so quickly that he nearly scorched his fingers. He whipped around, finding he’d been joined at some point by the man he recognized as the stranger from earlier that day.
    The man held his hands up in a gesture of peace. "My apologies. I’ve never been a quiet person; I was sure you had heard me approach. It wasn’t my intention to alarm you."
    Edander waved his hand, as though dispelling some nonexistent smoke. "When I meditate, I miss most of what goes on around me." He didn’t mean to seem rude, but he was mostly sure he failed. "Was there something I could help you with?"
    He thought the stranger’s face might have fallen a bit, but he’d become distracted tracing the scars that crisscrossed the stranger’s face with his eyes. It took a moment for Edander to realize the stranger was talking again. "I didn’t mean to bother you. They told me I was free to wander the Conservatory, but it seems to be mostly empty and I’ve been a bit at a loss. I’ll admit, I was feeling a bit nosy when I came in here." He scrubbed a hand across the back of his head, looking remarkably sheepish for a man who Edander suddenly realized was dressed in a warrior’s everyday leathers. "I think perhaps I’ll just go," the man said, shifting his weight in the direction of the doorway.
    "You don’t have to," Edander blurted without thinking, having to scramble to keep up with his mouth. "I don’t mind the company; I just thought you must have some reason for being here. I had imagined they would keep you busy showing off all that the Conservatory has to offer."
    Weight shifting back and settling, the stranger grimaced, oddly guiltily. "I’m sure they would like to, but I’ve been begging out of everything they’ll let me."
    Edander cocked his head curiously, absently calling up a flame that he twined over and over through his fingers.
    The stranger started talking, though his eyes were fixed on Edander’s hands. "It’s a very nice university, but they seem to spend a great amount of time outdoors in this awful weather. I’ve just spent three weeks traveling through it. If I’ve only got two weeks to rest and await my messenger, I’m certainly not going to waste it being soaked through all the time." His nose wrinkled in distaste, though his gaze hadn’t wavered from the flame.
    Edander laughed softly, eyes on his flame. "If you’ve managed to stay dry, stranger, then you have managed more than I have in the dozen years I’ve lived here."
    "Ignifer."
    Edander looked up only to be caught by bright green eyes.
    "What?" Edander nearly rolled his eyes at himself. It would be entirely in keeping with his life that he would have the opportunity to speak with the stranger and be incapable of anything resembling intelligence.
    The stranger grinned at him, revealing a dimple nestled between what looked to be two nasty claw marks. "My name. It’s Ignifer. If I am to be intruding upon your day, I thought I had at least better introduce myself."
    "Oh. Yes, of course." Edander blinked mutely, several long moments passing before he remembered himself. "Oh! I am Edander. I…" He trailed off, clearing his throat self-consciously. "I don’t know how to entertain guests," he admitted, rather at a loss.
    The dimple deepened as Ignifer replied with a wink, "I’m not sure I know how to be one. I’m too much a warrior to find interest in anything but training courts and sparring matches." He stared at Edander, brows furrowed slightly in the middle, and continued, "I know it would be rude to ask, but… well, I’ve been from home so long, and it’s been such a time since I’ve seen a flame walker. I don’t suppose…?"
    Edander laughed quietly as he let the question hang. "Even back home, I’ve never heard of anyone who still called us that; I don’t know that I’ve ever actually walked in flames. But I’d be glad to oblige. I’ve few