Free Prince's Fire by Amy Raby Page A

“You want to love your husband and be loved in return.”
    Celeste shivered. “What do you know about what I would accept?”
    â€œYou want love,” said Rayn. “In my language there’s a word for people like you.”
    â€œWhat do you mean ‘people like me’?” said Celeste.
    â€œThe word is
karamasi
.”
    â€œThat’s Inyan for
volcano
.”
    â€œIt has another meaning,” said Rayn. “
Karama
means
fire inside
. It can describe a mountain with fire inside—so, a volcano—or something else, such as a person. Add the
si
to the end and you get
karamasi
:
one with fire inside
.”
    â€œI have fire inside, like Drav?” She was bewildered.
    â€œNot like Drav. His is an angry fire. Yours is quieter,” said Rayn. “I see it in your love of mathematics. The way you look up at the stars. Your loyalty to your family.”
    â€œThis
karamasi
,” said Celeste. “Is it a good thing?”
    Rayn ran his hand down her arm. “A very good thing.”
    She leaned against him and watched the sailors dance. Hours passed in a dizzy happiness. If Rayn’s affection was feigned, she couldn’t tell it from the real thing. Even if he never loved her, she could be satisfied, perhaps, with an occasional evening like this. As the hour grew late, she felt sleepy and chilled. She snuggled into Rayn’s chest, and he warmed her with his fire magic, melting the tension out of tight muscles. “The other woman I see you with,” said Celeste. “Do you love her?”
    â€œNo,” said Rayn. “She’s a palace servant.”
    â€œI think she’s more than that.”
    A moment’s hesitation. “I had a brief affair with her.”
    â€œIs she the mother of your illegitimate daughter?”
    He sighed. “Yes.”
    â€œIs your daughter important to you?”
    â€œOf course,” said Rayn.
    â€œWhere is she? Did you leave her in Inya?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhy did she not come with you?”
    Some of the conversations around them had ceased, and Celeste was aware that Atella and Magister Lornis were listening in, along with quite a few sailors.
    â€œI will tell you about Zoe and my daughter,” said Rayn, “but only if we go someplace more private.”
    â€œWhere do you propose we go?”
    â€œTo my cabin,” said Rayn. “Or yours.”
    â€œNow?”
    â€œYes,
karamasi
. Just to talk.”
    Celeste unfolded her legs and stood. She was getting tired anyway; soon enough she would have taken her leave and headed to her cabin. This was better. Rayn was finally trusting her enough to speak candidly.
    Rayn rose and made his good-nights.
    He took her hand, and they headed to their quarters in the back of the ship. She was happy to leave the noise of the party behind—all those boots on the deck, the music, the conversation.
    As they crossed the wooden deck, someone approached them. It was the woman with the straw-colored hair.
    Rayn’s hand tensed inside Celeste’s. “Zoe.”
    Zoe curtsied to Celeste. “Your Imperial Highness.” Then to Rayn. “Your Highness. I need to speak to you right away. In private.”
    â€œAnother time.” Rayn walked around Zoe, tugging Celeste with him.
    â€œNo.” Zoe hurried in front of him again. “Please—it’s important.”
    â€œIf you have something to say, say it,” said Rayn.
    Zoe hesitated, biting her lip. “It’s complicated. We need to be alone.”
    â€œTomorrow,” said Rayn, shouldering his way around her.
    He opened the door to his cabin and ushered Celeste through. Atella took up her position outside the door.
    Inside, Celeste noticed a flash of movement. She blinked and looked around. The room was still. Perhaps she was tipsy from the wine and seeing things. Rayn closed the door behind them.
    But as soon as he did, a hand clamped over her