Shield's Lady

linking as we shared was as unfamiliar to me as it was to you. I didn’t realize how much you would pick up on what I was feeling. No one ever warned me the bonding would be that strong. I wasn’t prepared for it myself so I couldn’t prepare you. If you’re worrying about it, I can promise you that next time neither of us will be so jolted by the experience. Our senses will quickly adjust and become attuned. We will learn to filter out the discomforts of a linking and focus instead on the, uh, more pleasant aspects…“ Gryph felt himself redden slightly as he ran out of words. For the life of him he couldn’t tell what Sariana was thinking.
    She looked up at him, her expression unfathomable. He wondered how she could still be such a mystery to him after what they had been through together last night. Then he remembered his father once telling him that the mystery of a woman, even a Shieldmate, was never completely solved. Gryph waited in an agony of suspense for Sariana to acknowledge the link that had been forged between them. When she did, he would explain her new status to her.
    “Last night was something of an experience for both of us, wasn’t it?” Sariana observed with astonishing calm. She absently touched the scarlet-toe on her shoulder. The creature’s tongue lanced out and briefly touched her palm. Sariana lowered her hand and smiled a little too brilliantly at Gryph. “I think we were both a little out of control. You were obviously reacting strongly to the anesthetic the medic gave you for your shoulder and I was reacting to the Avylyns’ punch. I am still not completely accustomed to the clever concoctions you westerners create with alcohol. In the east we stick to wine and beer. I should know by now that any punch served at a party here is bound to be quite strong. But I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better this morning. So am I.”
    Gryph stared at her, at a loss for words. He had been prepared for hurt accusations, a host of questions and a great deal of confusion on Sariana’s part. There was much, after all, that needed to be explained. The one thing he had not expected was a complete denial of the whole experience. He remembered belatedly that the lady had a way with words.
    “Sariana,” he finally said quietly, “there’s no point in denying what happened last night. You were not under the influence of too much punch and I was fully aware of what I was doing, even if I was a little groggy from the anesthetic.” His mouth curved faintly. “You, of all people, know the anesthetic wasn’t working very well, anyway.”
    Sariana’s fingers tightened on the door. “Why don’t we meet in my office after breakfast, Gryph? We have a lot to discuss. I want a full report of what happened last night when you went to meet your informant. Then we can make plans for the next step in this matter of retrieving the prisma cutter.”
    “Don’t think you can retreat behind a wall of words and a business discussion,” he muttered. “Listen, Sariana, I don’t want to put this off until after breakfast. I think we should discuss it now. You have to understand a few things.”
    She nodded quickly. “Yes, I know. I have a whole list of questions.”
    Gryph relaxed slightly. “I thought you might.”
    “To begin with, I want to hear every detail about the meeting with your informer last night. I want to know exactly what happened so we can make plans. I still think we may have to call in the town guards. But we must try to think of some way to protect the Avylyns’ reputation. If you’re to continue on this assignment, we’ll have to concoct a new excuse for your presence in the household. I’ve been giving that some thought this morning and I’ve come up with a couple of ideas that might work.”
    Gryph stared at her, realizing he hadn’t made any headway at all. Sariana was prepared to ignore the whole experience. He could hardly believe it. He stepped through the doorway, forcing her back a pace. From its perch on Sariana’s shoulder the scarlet-toe watched Gryph and bared its tiny teeth. Gryph paid no attention to the lizard. His attention was focused on Sariana.
    “You don’t seem to understand what’s going on here, Sariana,” he began with as much patience as he could muster. “I realize you’re confused. I’m prepared to explain everything to you. But this is between you and me. I am not particularly interested in the Avylyns’ problem at the