Free The Danu by Kelly Lucille Page B

payment.
    "The Royal Palace
sits on stone, as does most of the city.  Danu magic does not work on solid
rock."  Khalon's answer was mild enough.  He came around the table and
stood between Katrine and his brother just the same.  "I will take my
chances outside the wilds.  In the meantime know that the girl is mine to
protect, do not make the mistake of forgetting that again, or brother or no,
Crowned Prince and general or no, you will suffer more than a bloody gash on
your hard head."
    ***
    The room was clean and
dry, and better, it had hard walls and a stout door.  It was a good thing
because the evening before they had passed from one weave into another.  She
had felt the pull like warm taffy stretched too thin before the break had her
visibly flinching and nearly crying out.  Now her own weave was in tatters
making her feel both vulnerable and sickly.  Khalon had sensed something
because his arm had tightened around her waist and his hot breath had been on
her ear.
    "You are well?"
    "Fine," she
said her words a little breathless from the pain but otherwise normal.  She was
not about to tell him then or now, how leaving a weave affected The Danu, and
thankfully he let the moment go.  Ever since then her energy had been sapping
slowly away.  If she had been traveling within the magical boundaries of the wilds,
she could have lasted a significant distance, but traveling next to it without
touching, that was harder, so a little privacy, stout walls between her and her
many enemies, and a soft bed were all she asked.  Though a bath was on her list
as well, if it could be managed before she fell over.
    Sadly, none of that was
available if the big warrior, who stood at her door with eyes that saw
everything on her, did not get out.
    "Surely you could
guard me from the hallway?"
    Khalon raised a brow at
her snippy comment. "Perhaps, if you had less enemies.  I would be a poor
protector indeed if I let my brothers men take you through yonder
window."  He shrugged his broad shoulders.  "And as much as I would
love to sleep in the hall, I'm afraid that Ragnar and I will both be sleeping
in here."  He gave her a half smile.  "You can have the bed, of
course.  We have our bed rolls."
    She would have liked to
argue but she knew he was right, there were too many enemies here, his brother
could open many doors, amazingly enough, the Outcasts were the least of her
problems since his brother’s arrival, and Khalon himself had jumped from enemy
to protector in her thoughts.  She was too tired to talk herself out of
trusting him tonight.  She needed sleep, and despite his stalwart appearance,
beneath that stubborn dirt streaked and smelly warrior was a tired man who had
faced down his own brother to protect her.
    She sighed anyway. 
"I was hoping to bathe," she said mildly trying without success not
to sound whiny.
    "As am I,"
Khalon said with a look in his eyes that she did not want to interpret. 
"Once Ragnar has a chance to clear the place and get himself cleaned up,
we will head down."
    Katrine sat on the foot
of the bed and a plume of dust surrounded her.  It was not from poor housekeeping;
the prince had greased some palms and got them a clean room, with a bed that
smelled of lavender satchels.  The only things dirty in the room were her and
Khalon. 
    She grimaced, too tired
to get up again.  "I don't think I'm up for traipsing to the river, nor
would I wish to bathe in plain view of soldiers or outcasts."
    Khalon's snorted. 
"Nor would I allow it.  I have arranged for us the use of the private bathing
room."
    Katrine blinked at him. 
"There is such a thing?"
    He tilted his head and
looked at her curiously.  "How did you bathe in Haven?"
    She shrugged, and had to
fan her face to see past the dust that rose off her.  "We had a well that
pumped water into the wet room.  We heated the water there.  They have that
here?"  She was suddenly hopeful, and her face must have shown it because
he