Page 46 of Captive of the Stolen Empire

Of all the men you could want, Ilya…

Attraction complicated everything. Could I spy on someone if I came to care for him? Use him? If I let myself go to him, I might never be able to separate my heart fully. Even so, I couldn’t miss this chance. Not for our mission, nor to slake the seeds of desire he’d sown through unexpected kindness.

Only one way to find out.

A light in the darkness tugged me upward, one step after another.

The landing neared and I hung back, taking in what I could see of the room beyond. Lucien’s suit of armor gleamed in the low light of an oil lamp. Weapons and spare pieces were stored on ornate shelves. A large fireplace had been stacked with wood but was currently devoid of life. A desk of polished, dark pine stood to one side, sporting numerous documents and books—my prime target. Many more shelves lined the walls filled with tomes, gathered papers, writing instruments, and trinkets I couldn’t quite make out.

But the sight that caused my heart to race and my legs to press tight together under my dress was the massive, four-poster bed whose carved headboard hugged the wall. Dark covers and furs draped over its unmade surface.

Beyond all that, two stone archways opened onto a balcony and let in the night, their heavy, dark curtains pulled wide and tied at the sides with thick cords. Moonlight crept in through the opening, reaching into the room. My throat dried as I spied Lucien with his arms propped against the railing, staring out into the night. His garb still painted him for a merchant, though within this room, no one could mistake him for what he was.

He hadn’t seen me—yet. I could turn. Run.

I took the last steps into the room, my heart pounding in my ears.

Lucien and the desk fought a war for my attention, threatening to tear me in two. I edged toward the desk.

“Ilya.” His voice wrapped around me like a warm breeze, stirring up the tides of my soul.

The light of the two moons highlighted the planes of his face. His mouth lifted at the corners before his lips parted slightly.

Heat flushed my skin. The desk vanished from thought as if it had never been, as did the rest of the room. I didn’t even notice it as I crossed to the balcony.

“You came.”

“I did.”

He extended a hand to me. “The view is stunning tonight.”

That open hand held everything despite being empty. An invitation. A question. An offer. And perhaps even a hope.

I took it, letting him lead me across the deep stone balcony to the edge of the railing. Three large fires flickered in the night below, surrounded by many smaller ones and auras of light from lanterns and candles inside homes and buildings. The number of torches in the bailey had been reduced so as not to overshadow the view on this festive night.

My friends were out there somewhere.

My breath caught in my throat as a strong arm snaked around my waist, pulling my back against the hard planes of Lucien’s chest. “Quite the night.” His breath teased my ears. Sandalwood and warmth clouded my thoughts.

“Beautiful,” I whispered.

“I can think of something better.” His arm flexed around me as his thumb rubbed a pattern through my dress.

I turned in his arms, just enough to see his face. “Why me? I’m your hostage.”

His lips twitched. “You’re our guest.”

A frown pulled at my lips before I could stop it.

Lucien grazed my cheek with his fingertips, tilting it ever closer to his own. “Was I mistaken to think you wanted me too?”

I licked my lips. “No. You weren’t mistaken.” I wouldn’t lie about that. What started as a ruse, a plot, had become something earnest. Perhaps it was just his comely appearance, my lack of options, or the need for pleasure after so much heartache, but there was a hint of something else, a terrifying thread I dare not follow. It was easier if it was only lust. Safer.

“But according to you, I’m your captor.”

“Conqueror. Captor. Man who stole my future.” All true. All reasons to not let this be anything more than a give and take or a part of my ploy.

His brows arched toward the moons. “Then why, Ilya? If you think so harshly of me…”

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