“The dagger’s blade has a double edge because it is two weapons,” he explained. “One side is best used against man. The other side is made of meteorite and is best used against…creatures I hope we won’t encounter. To unsheathe it, you must grasp the hilt and say my name.”
“Grasp the hilt and sayEdan,” I repeated. “That’s simple enough.”
He shook his head. “Enchanters have many names, sometimes thousands. Edan is only one of my names.”
“Emperor Khanujin has a thousand names.”
“He has titles. And a thousand is an exaggeration. It’s more like fifty-two, and they’re all variations on the same thing.”
I crossed my arms, skeptical. “But you, almighty Lord Enchanter, you have a thousand names.”
“Close to a thousand,” he admitted.
“I’ll believe it when I hear them.”
“I wouldn’t want you to hearallof them,” he said, amused. “Some are quite insulting. And untrue.”
“Oh?”
“Sorcerer Who Feasts on Eyes of Children—Enlai’naden. Hateful Master of the Wicked—Kylofeldal. It goes on and on.”
“And the one that unlocks the dagger?”
He waited a beat before answering. “Jinn,” he said. “One of my first names.”
“Jinn,” I repeated.
“Carry it with you always.” He passed the dagger to me, still sheathed. “If someone attacks you, the quickest way is to slice his throat.” Edan pointed at his own throat, drawing a line. “Aim the blade where the pulse beats, then cut across.”
Finlei had tried teaching me to fight when we were children.When will I ever need to fight someone?I’d asked him then.
If only I’d known. I copied Edan’s movement.
“Or you can stab his chest. Here.” Edan wrapped his hand over mine so that we held the dagger together. He raised the blade to his chest, pulling me closer to him. “Aim between the ribs for the lungs, then thrust up for the heart.”
Again I copied the movement, but Edan didn’t let go of my hand. His heart beat against my palm as it landed on his chest. His pulse raced, almost as fast as mine.
Edan’s other arm found my hip; then he leaned forward until he was so close I felt the warmth of his breath on my nose.
His breath touched my mouth, the softest brush of his lips over mine. I closed my eyes. I couldn’t hear anything, not the symphony of the forest, not our horses snuffling impatiently behind us.
A beat. Two beats. My heart squeezed with anticipation.
Then…Edan let go of my hand.
My eyes flew open, and all the breath I’d been holding in was expelled from me in one quick burst. “What—”
“It’s getting late,” Edan said abruptly, lowering the dagger so that it no longer came between us. “That was a good start, but no more for today.”
I closed my mouth, feeling cheated and dejected. I could have sworn he’d been about to kiss me. I could feel that he wanted to.
“I know you want to bathe. Come on, I’ll find you a better place.”
I followed mutely, kicking at a pile of dirt when he wasn’t looking.
What a confusing, confusing man.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
