CHAPTER NINETEEN—GUARDIAN ON THE RIVER

All was quiet, except for the crickets and the gentle splashing of water as the boat cut through the river.

Ali’s knees were beginning to ache, so he repositioned himself so that he sat normally with his legs crossed. Within easy reach were the rune stones Debaku had told him to use when he decided it was time to pull them out of their dream state.

Drugs and alcohol, he thought. Is this really magic?

Their breathing wasn’t particularly fast now, so he had no need to count their heart beats. But if that changed, he would definitely begin the counting.

He swallowed against the lump of apprehension in his throat.

Shiro might never return from this. Debaku, however—it was obvious to Ali, that he was much more practiced in these matters. He seemed to be a plant expert, possibly with poisons as well.

All this danger, and they hadn’t even tried to get into the Royal Palace yet. Doing that would be far more dangerous than what was happening on the boat.

Surely.

But Ali could be mistaken. The dangers Shiro faced now were an altogether different sort, nothing like having enemies shoot arrows and swing blades. It was a danger that Shiro couldn’t control.

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But the Black Cobra was there to guide him.

And Ali.

I’m here.

Here to see him through this, and if things became too clouded, if the hot sands would burn him up, Ali would bring him out.

But that would mean failure for Shiro.

The Abassir did not want to make a mistake, and out of thoroughness, pull Shiro out too soon—or too late, resulting in either failure or death.

If Shiro was to find Jessamine, there was a fine line in the sand which would lead to success.

Swallowing again, his eyes wide, he regarded the two shirtless men, then glanced about the calm river. The moon cast a shimmer of pale light over the waters and the fronds of the palm trees swayed ever so slightly.

He wiped his brow.

It wasn’t so hot, but Ali felt nervous. And why shouldn’t he?

He couldn’t wait until this was over with, until he could ask Shiro what had happened, and whether or not he had accomplished his goal.

Ali wanted Shiro to succeed—that’s what all this was for. In a way, he had felt bad for Shiro,, sorry for him. He wondered what he would do should Hafza be lost to him. Surely he would risk his life to get her back.

Was Shiro’s relationship with Jessamine even like that?

The Abassir thought that it was, despite Shiro never having displayed very many outward signs. And neither had Jessamine. Not really.

But perhaps they were in another place. Ali and Hafza, after a secret whirlwind romance, had married. And secret it surely was, or her father would have had his balls cut off and dried out in the sun.

Chuckling, he looked down at the two men, realizing that both of them were now breathing faster, Shiro particularly.

He got off of his crossed legs and put his palm over Shiro’s heart and began to count the beats. He had no way to compare a normal heartbeat to the speed now, so he had to do his best to count simultaneously on one hand and in his head.

It was difficult and he failed several times.

Finally he got it right.

I think I have…

Shiro’s heart was beating fast, and it was cause for concern, but not yet for alarm. He would withhold placing the rune and wait, wait and watch over them.