Page 71 of Cage of Destiny
She took a few more sips beforesetting the mug down. Kerdan grabbed her hand, pulling her afterhim into one of the rings.
“Where’s your shirt?” sheasked, eyeing him.
He shrugged. “Took it off before thefight.”
She raised an eyebrow. Did heseriously intend to remain half-naked for the rest of the night?Her face warmed. She tried to keep her eyes focused on his face andnot his torso. But it was hard.
They stood across from one another.Allyssa held her head high, trying to exude confidence and mimicthose around her. Two steps to the right, stomp, two to the left,another stomp, clap three times, and then spin on one foot. Verygood. She had it down.
Kerdan moved with elegance and grace.His hair came loose, falling around his face. It made him lookyounger, less harsh. An odd feeling overcame Allyssa. She wishedhis mother were still alive to see the man he had become. Eventhough she hadn’t known her, Allyssa had a feeling his mother wouldhave been proud of him.
“Having fun?” heasked.
“I am.” She smiled, and thelines around his eyes softened.
“We should probably headback after the next dance.”
When was the last time he let looselike this? Before she arrived in Clovek, there were rumors Kerdanhad been fighting in Melenia. Then Soma poisoned Kerdan, forcinghim to return to the castle. He seemed to always be working,fighting, and protecting his people. Did he ever have a chance tobe himself? Probably not. They were both defined by theirpositions. They had duties and carried the weight of thecrown.
“What’s the matter?” heasked.
She shook her head, not wanting totalk about it right now. Instead, she wanted to stay the way theywere. People instead of symbols.
The musicians started playing a slowsong. Many people left the rings to refill their mugs. Kerdan tookhold of Allyssa’s wrist, pulling her closer so their torsostouched. “Dance with me,” he murmured, sending a wave of firethrough her body.
“I’m afraid,” she admitted,unable to believe she’d said that out loud.
“Of me?” he asked, concernclouding his face. She shook her head. “Of what then?” His handslid to her back, pulling her even closer against him.
“Falling.” She didn’t wantto have her heart broken again. Allyssa leaned her head on hischest, wrapping her arms around his waist.
He stiffened and then relaxed.“Trusting someone else is hard.”
She’d fought so hard not to think ofhim as anything other than a friend. Glancing up into his eyes, shesaw him watching her. Could she marry this man? Their friendshipcould evolve into a deeper relationship. Perhaps they’d even be thebest of friends. But what about love? Her heart fluttered at thethought.
“I’d very much like to kissyou,” he admitted.
She blinked, certain she’d heard himwrong.
“Don’t look so surprised.”He smiled. “Never mind. Sorry I said anything at all.” He lookedaway.
Shock rolled through her. Because…because she sort of wanted to kiss him too.
The song ended, and a fast tune began.People crowded to the dancing areas. What was she doing dancing sointimately when they had a mission to accomplish? It was too hot;there were too many people. She needed fresh air before she didsomething she couldn’t take back.
“Excuse me,” she said,letting go of him and rushing out of the ring, bumping into peoplein her haste to leave. Throwing the door open, she stepped out intothe night, breathing in the crisp air. Her head pounded. She musthave drunk more alcohol than she realized.
“Allyssa!” Kerdan calledout after her.
She slowed but kept walking down thestreet, allowing him to catch up.
“I didn’t mean to scare youor push you away. I got lost in the moment. I shouldn’t have triedto force something that clearly isn’t there, or you’re not readyfor. It won’t happen again.” His voice was gruff.
She stopped and looked up at him. Howhad she not seen it, realized it, before? “I’ve only ever kissedone man, and he broke my heart. I’m scared of letting go, of givingyou my heart.” Of trusting someone so completely.
Kerdan grabbed her hand, pulling heraway from the main road and between two buildings. “What are yousaying?” he asked, his voice gravelly.
The moonlight shone bright overhead.“I want to kiss you.”
