Page 102 of Enchanted Shadows
“Yeah?”
I let out a sigh. “I understand that you can see just fine in the dark, but if there is a shot in hell I get even a wink of sleep, can I somehow feel that you are still here next to me?” Was I honestly asking to hold her hand right now? There was being vulnerable and there was being needy. I was fairly certain I was all the way across that damn line.
But without another word, she scooted closer, turning so her back was pressed against my chest. Then she reached behind her and grabbed my arm, tucking it around her. “Better?”
“Yes.” But also no. This was another bad idea. How was I supposed to shut this off or turn away from her when this was exactly what I had wanted? Her body lined up to mine.
It was that moment I decided Molly was right. I was only a few weeks in, but fake relationships were proving difficult to keep. There was keeping up appearances, and then there was just keeping.
CHAPTER 32
The knock on my door the next morning was the king and queen of Wylan. Kessara and I were dressed and ready for the meeting with Calix. I was tense. I should’ve gotten up and ran or used a serious amount of magic, but on the off chance I needed it, I hadn’t wanted to leave Kessara.
“Since last night we focused on safety precautions, we just wanted to get a plan for this meeting with Calix,” Krew told both of us as Jorah plopped on the couch. He turned to his half-sister, and damn, when they were this close together it was hard to imagine that I hadn’t known they were related. “What do you want, Princess Kessara?”
“Wh—” She swallowed. “What do you mean what do I want? And just Kessara is fine.”
“Calix will try to get us to turn you over to him, and I just wanted to make sure before I told him to go fly a kite, that you wanted to stay here in Wylan.”
I moved to sit on the couch next to Jorah, giving them a sibling moment.
Kessara’s eyes followed my movement. “I do want to stay.” Sherushed to add, “And not because I wish to wear crowns and play the part of a princess here either.”
He held up a hand. “No one here is suspecting you of that. At all.”
She heaved a deep breath. “Only because they do not know who sired me yet.”
“The three of us are nothing like him,” Krew argued.
“Your Highness,” Kessara urged. “You do not even really know me. So how would you know?”
He smiled. “I don’t, but I would like to. For now, I do knowhim.” He gestured with his head toward me. “I know him better than most.”
“So you trust me because he does? And it’s as simple as that?”
“Yes.” Krew’s eyes went to mine a moment before going back to hers, identical to his own. “I assume the fact that Artem and Amos Reyes are here needs to be kept secret?”
“Amos can come to the meeting. I’m not sure Calix would really believe that I would get out on my own. So Amos should be there. But should you be so kind, Artem absolutely has to remain hidden. For as long as possible. I’ll tell Calix that I couldn’t find Artem. He’d already gone into hiding. And fearing Damek’s wrath, I fled.”
She’s good at this,Jorah told me.
She’s had to be to survive,I agreed.
Krew’s eyes went to his wife and back to Kessara. “We can help. I just do not take lightly having to cage people. How does he feel about all of this?”
“He knows he has to endure it if he wants to live to see his eighteenth birthday,” Kessara stated.
Krew gave his head a shake. “I’m truly sorry for you both. What can I helpyoubargain for? How long would you like to stay? Permanently? Or while things blow over? Or are you not sure?”
She inhaled deeply. Her nervous tell. “I don’t know. For a while.The team here—” her voice caught. “I don’t wish to leave them. Or my obnoxious husband.”
Krew smirked. “Okay.”
“I know the way Calix’s mind works. He will push for us to travel to Agria, he’ll want to prove to the king and queen that I am alive and well. I’m not sure how you would get us out of that, or if you even should.”
Krew dipped his head in a nod. “If you’d like to do that and play along, then I’ll send enough men along with you to make sure you can come directly back.”
Kessara shook her head. “I cannot ask any of you to do anymore for me than you already have.”
