She reluctantly let go. If she pushed to remain with him, he’d insist she get some sleep. If she stayed despite his protests, he’d physically escort her to the shelter. She could use her magic to stop him, but she’d never do that to him. In fact, she’d promised not to use magic on him without his permission. Unless it was an emergency. As for the power of The Eyes, she didn’t need to read his thoughts and emotions. Over the last two hundred and twenty-seven sun jumps they’d been together, she’d learned to read his body language pretty well. Besides, she already knew his heart.

“Go,” he ordered.

He wasn’t in charge, but he could out stubborn her. So she stole another kiss and went into the shelter.

The sun jumps blurred together, piling up. Shyla was both comforted by the routine and frustrated by it. Soon after they left the travel shelter at the start of their fifty-second sun jump of travel, Shyla sensed a strange thickness to the air. Beside her, Lota appeared unconcerned. Shyla glanced back at the other guards and caravan drivers, but no one acted anxious. The kids were having fun pretending to be racing the gamelus. Yet there was a hum of anticipation and excitement that danced on her skin.

It took her a couple of angles to spot the small shapes in the distance. Monks? Had they traveled close to another city? The monasteries were always built near a major city so the monks could spy on the people and report any problems to the King. They also wore special clothing that blended in with the color of the sand when they were out on patrol.

Rendor moved up from his position, joining her and Lota. “Do you see them?”

“Yes.”

“I count ten,” he said.

“I see a dozen.”

“There’s eighteen,” Lota said.

“Are they monks?” Shyla asked her.

“Not out here.”

“Sand pirates?” Rendor gripped the hilt of his sword.

“No. They don’t strike in sunlight, and they wouldn’t be lying half buried in the sand.”

Shyla squinted. The woman had a keen eye. “The King’s guards?”

Lota scoffed. “No. If the guards ever bothered to leave Qulsary, they wouldn’t hide.” She paused. “We are near a major crossroads so there are travel shelters in each direction.”

“Who are they?” he asked.

“I’ve no idea, but they’re lying in wait for us.” She signaled the rest of the guards to get ready. “I hope you two are as good as you claim. This is going to get rough.”

The King of Koraha will be released worldwide

November 22, 2021!

Also By Maria V. Snyder

Study Series

Poison Study

Magic Study

Fire Study

Shadow Study

Night Study

Dawn Study

Glass Series

Storm Glass

Sea Glass

Spy Glass

Healer series

Touch of Power

Scent of Magic

Taste of Darkness

Inside Series

Inside Out

Outside In

Invisible Sword Series