Page 174 of The King's Man
His eyes lifted to meet mine. “Our ancient text. It reads,No one else shall enter.”
He didn’t look away, measuring my response. I breathed deeply to control the thread of fear that wanted to tighten in my chest.
Jann’s expression was somber. “You can still change your mind. I don’twantto put you through this—”
“No.No.I need to be close to you so I can get you out if they turn on you.”
Jann’s jaw flexed. “Then… are you ready?”
I closed my eyes and tipped forward to rest my head on his chest, grateful when his strong arms wrapped around to hold me.
Neither of us spoke for several breaths. Then…
“Yes,” I whispered. “I’m ready.”
*****
The moment we stepped out of Jann’s apartment and into the wide corridor of the Palace, all eyes followed us. I tried not to gape at the stunning beauty of this place.
The palace was sized for its inhabitants, the corridor as wide as a dining room in Theynor, allowing multiple Nephilim to walk abreast and still leave space for human servants to scuttle past them.
Though it was night, there was a battery of servants in these halls—male and female, which surprised me. Young, green-eyed Neph who lacked the bulk of men like Jann and Melek, human women wearing everything from clothing even more scandalous than mine, to livery. And many more clearly human forms in robes that swam around their ankles and disguised their bodies so you couldn’t know if they were male or female at all since every human form was dwarfed by the hulking Nephilim.
The stone floor was carpeted at the center in a rich red with more of those symbols woven into the edges in gold.Tapestries and massive paintings hung at intervals between doors, and alcoves housing carved marble busts or side tables the size of buffets displaying flower arrangements of Nephilim proportions.
There was a sheen of luxury and refinement here I hadn’t expected. Which was when I realized why there’d been a niggle in the back of my mind about Jann.
I’d been so self-conscious and preoccupied with my own clothing, I hadn’t really paid attention when he bathed and dressed. Now, as we walked the hallway and I looked everywhere, my gaze landed on him and jerked to a halt.
He was wearing a shirt. And trousers. And ajacket.Not the uniform or weapons clothing to which I was so accustomed. But a black, velvet jacket with silver embroidery—more of those strange symbols and text embroidered down the flat lapels and continuing down the hem. The white shirt had a molded, high collar, but rather than folding for a cravat, the fabric had been starched to stand tall against the sides of his neck, then open to a short, wide V that revealed the warm, brown skin at his throat.
The shirt was flat-fronted, a tunic that fell almost as long as the jacket that swooped down to hang below his ass at the back and mid-thigh on the sides. His breeches were a sturdy, buff material that moved with his body and tucked into shining black boots.
He looked…refined.He lookednoble.
“When did you—”
But Jann, who hadn’t met my eyes, prowled down the corridor with his chin high and that cocky, insolent smile he’d thrown around in Theynor. As if he hadn’t heard me, he chucked his chin once, then raised his voice to call at someone further down the hallway.
“Well, fuck me sideways. The Halfling is back,” the Neph called in return.
I wanted to roll my eyes—it appeared therefinementof the Neph here didn’t extend to language.
I didn’t have to pretend my distaste as Jann clamped a hand to my wrist and dragged me to the left to meet the male walking in the other direction. The two clasped arms, though not as warmly as Jann had with Karyd the day before.
“When did you return?” the male asked, clearly surprised to see him.
Jann grinned. “Just this evening. But I can’t stop—I’ve heard there’s a hunt.”
The other male growled. “Lucky bastard. They aren’t letting the rank and file in on those yet.” Then his brows rose as he scanned down to look at me. “Though it seems perhaps you have less reason to make the chase?” he said, his voice a low, suggestive purr.
It was areliefwhen Jann growled and tugged me closer.
The male’s eyes sharpened, but he lowered his chin, though he didn’t avert his eyes from Jann’s furious gaze. “The hunt begins in the King’s garden,” he said, eyes glinting and jaw tight, “I heard the men were gathering on the ballroom balcony. But I should warn you, the King may not be as pleased to see you as I am. He’s warned all of us to have caution for anyone who was loyal to Melek.”
“Good thing I’m not allied to that green-eyed fuck then, isn’t it?” Jann muttered.
The man’s expression was skeptical. “You two were thick as thieves—”
