Read Online Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder - Free Book Online Page B

for me.
      “Do you have water in your ears? What part of ‘let go’ didn’t you understand?” I scolded, reverting into my really-annoyed-older-sister mode.
      When anger flamed in Kade’s eyes, I realized I dealt with a grown man and Stormdancer. He could probably order the wind to suck me out of the cave and drop me onto the beach far below. Big difference from fighting with my younger brother, Ahir, whose only talent was to pester me to distraction.
      “Opal,” Zitora called from below.
      I glanced over the edge.
      “We need to hurry. I want to reach The Flats by sunset.”

      My thoughts lingered on Kade and his orb as I helped Zitora saddle the horses and pack the bags. Varun and Kade arrived with full backpacks and I tied their sleeping rolls onto the saddles. Since they didn’t have any horses, we would share mounts to Thunder Valley. I eyed Kade’s pack with trepidation. He had taken his orb and its muted voice reached me even through the leather.
      Soon the whole Stormdance team milled around, waiting to say goodbye.
      Raiden gave us a few instructions. “If you’re not back here in eighteen days, then don’t bother. We’re clearing out on day nineteen.”
      “If the storm pattern changes, don’t hesitate to leave sooner. Just send me a message,” Kade said.
      “Will do.” Raiden scanned the sky.
      “We’ll keep the kiln hot,” Indra said.
      After all the goodbyes and thank yous, we led the horses up The Cliffs. The ascent felt easier. Perhaps because I tended to look up instead of down.
      We reached The Flats without any problems. As soon as we were rested, Zitora mounted Sudi. “Varun, you’ll ride with me. Kade, you’re with Opal.”
      When no one moved, Zitora ordered, “Let’s go. I want to get in a few more miles before we stop for the night.”
      I don’t know why I thought Zitora and I would share a mount, but it appeared the men had assumed the same thing. They glanced at each other. Varun shrugged. He shouldered his pack and swung up behind Zitora.
      Quartz bumped my arm with her nose. If horses could laugh, I had the feeling she would be chuckling.
      Kade grabbed Quartz’s reins. “Should I?” he asked.
      “No. She’s my horse. I’ll take them.”
      “Suit yourself.”
      I hopped into the saddle and Kade settled in behind me. It was a tight fit. I tried not to think about his legs pressed against mine, and about where my backside was nestled. Strong arms wrapped around my waist. I was suddenly glad he couldn’t see my flushed face. His chest molded to my back and the orb’s song grew louder. Its energy vibrated in my heart.
      I urged Quartz into a gallop, hoping to distract myself from the hot tingle pulsing through my blood.
      We aimed toward the setting sun and kept going once the light disappeared. Zitora slowed our pace, allowing the horses to find a good path in the darkness.
      Kade had remained quiet, but I felt him draw a breath. “When I asked you what the orb says to you, I meant just general feelings like happy, sad or angry. Stormdancers hear the storm’s personality in the orb. I wanted to see if it was the same for you.” A pause. “You surprised me with your answer.”
      Was this an apology? I searched for a reply. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
      “I know that…now.”
      We rode for a while without saying anything. Finally, I asked, “Storms have personalities?”
      “Yes. There’re subtle differences in the storms. A few blow big and angry, others delight in their energy, some rage with malice, while others brood. Strange, I know.”
      “Not strange to me. It’s similar to my glass animals. They all call to me in different ways. If I really thought about it, I could assign emotions to them like you do with the storms.”
      He huffed. “I never would have thought storms and glass could have something in common.”
      “But you put the storm’s energy