Page 64 of Spirit Rites

Reika smirks. “It’s a strength we pull from our spirit jags.”

“Really? I want to learn that.”

Reika scoffs. “With the racket you were making out there, I don’t think it will help.” I frown at her. “What was it you want to ask Kaldar?” I stare at her, confused. “What?” she snaps.

“I don’t know. You just usually act like you hate me.”

She scowls, and Taren and Jorren both grin. “She hates everybody, Kinsley,” Taren fills me in. “Don’t take it personally.” Jorren snorts out a laugh.

“Well, I hate both of you; that’s for sure,” Reika responds without a smile.

When she looks at me expectantly, I try to remember what it was we were talking about. “Oh, I was asking the guys who yourpeople think should be king if it’s not him who they want as king.”

Her eyes narrow on me. “It’s only a small group of people that don’t want him as king.”

I hold up my hands in surrender because I’m not the one that doesn’t think he should be king. “So, who do they think should be?”

“Evren.”

I stare at Reika in shock. “Evren?” When she nods, I look at Taren and Jorren for confirmation. Jorren doesn’t look at me, but Taren gives me a brief nod. “Why?” I sputter. “And why in the world is he on Kaldar’s security team?”

“Ah. Such good questions,” Taren says, drawing out the words. I look between the three of them.

“You all don’t think he should be.”

Jorren just levels a look at me, and I put my hands up. “Okay. Got it.”

“Why is he on the team then?”

Reika rolls her eyes. “You ask too many questions.” She’s gone a moment later.

“Well, that was fast.” I watch her leave, not really sad to see her go. I turn back to Taren. “So why is Evren on Kaldar’s security team? And why do people think he’d make a better king?”

“Because he’s my cousin.” I jump at the sound of Kaldar right behind me. “And his father believes he’s the better choice.”

I turn to face him. He looks between Taren and Jorren. “It’s not their fault. I begged them for answers.” He looks down at me, and I can’t tell if he’s upset or not.

“We were just filling her in on some of the politics at play,” Taren says evenly.

Kaldar looks down at me. “If you have questions, you can ask me. I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”

“Why do you allow Evren to be on your security team if he wants to take your place as king?”

He stares down at me. “Because I don’t get a choice.” Then he steps back and cocks his head towards the door. “Come on. We can talk about this later.” He starts towards the door, and I hurry to catch up with him.

“Will we?” I ask when I catch up to him.

“Will we what?” He holds the door for me as we step outside.

“Will we talk about this? And will you please slow down? I can’t keep up with your long legs.”

He immediately slows down. “Sorry.” But he doesn’t look at me when he says it. He keeps moving forward. I don’t say anything as we walk on the wooden planks past all the homes I saw earlier. We make it back to the water and onto the wooden walkway. Several people stop him along the way, but we finally make it back to his house. He doesn’t say a word when we step inside. He surprises me by putting his hand on my lower back and gently pushing me towards the bedroom. As soon as we’re inside, he closes and locks the door. My eyebrows rise in surprise.

“Kaldar?” He turns back to me, radiating an intensity I don’t know what to do with. “Are you okay?”

He continues to stare at me, and I don’t know what to make of it. “Why didn’t you stay inside?”

“We’re back to this?”