As I looked down into her eyes, they were the most clear I’d seen them since her return. There was little darkness to be seen, only a shimmering honey that set my heart beating. I brought my forehead to hers, leaning into her warmth. Her hand still lingered on my cheek. Our shared breaths become intoxicating.
“Arabella,” I whispered, pressing a kiss to her palm. I was unable to stop myself, pulled into her from some otherworldly force I couldn’t explain. Gods above. It was so easy to slip back into physical intimacy with her. I didn’t think twice about it, I just acted on instinct.
“Kalen,” she replied, closing her eyes and leaning in. We were so close, I could nearly feel the sensation of her lips on mine. My heart pounded wildly, a feverish beat that could not be subdued.
Drunken revelers tore out of a pub down the street, raucous laughter ringing out in the evening. Arabella and I jumped apart, her eyes going wide at the moment we almost shared. I ran my hand through my hair, rubbing the back of my neck as she fiddled with her cloak awkwardly.
I stepped toward her, aching to feel her body against mine again, just one more time, but she shook her head and stepped back. “No,” she whispered hoarsely. “We cannot do this. I am bound to Lachlan still, and you—” she paused, honey eyes shining with unshed tears “—have another you take to your bed.”
“What?” I asked. “How did you—”
“It doesn’t matter.” She looked up at the sky, blowing out a breath. “Oh gods, this was a mistake.”
I was so confused. How did we go from where we were moments ago to feeling as though we were on opposite ends of the world? How did she not understand that Renai and I were not like that? That even though I loved her—and I did in some way, there was no denying it—that it wasn’t the same? That I wasn’tinlove with her? “Arabella, I don’t understand. Renai and I are—”
She held up her hand. “Even though I am happy you’ve found someone to share your happiness with, it doesn’t mean I want to hear about it, Kalen.” She wiped her cheek with the back of her sleeve. “I wanted to tell you, before all of this blew out of proportion, that Lachlan is encroaching on Helia’s territory to the east. He is going to attack smaller villages along the river. While they may be insignificant in size, your supply routes cross paths with theirs and he will cut you off. Send ravens or evacuate who you can while you can. There isn’t much time. Perhaps a week at most.”
I offered a stiff nod. “Alright.”
“And there is a traitor amongst you,” she said, peeking up at me through thick lashes.
Everything came to a halt. “What did you just say?” I growled. “Who the fuck is it?”
Arabella shook her head. “I don’t know. I haven’t been privy to that information. But the things Lachlan knows? He’s growing increasingly confident in his strategies, strutting around as if he’s indestructible and boasting about how he’s infiltrated the palace’s walls once again. You need to be careful, Kalen. Don’t trust anyone.”
How the fuck was I supposed to convince Matt and Eva to send out forces with information I couldn’t disclose how I received? Not that I could avoid it, because this needed to be addressed as soon as possible.
But before I could ask her anything further, she turned away and left me standing alone in the darkness.
Chapter25
Matthew
Idanced on the balls of my feet, staring at my reflection in the mirror as Kalen sat behind me. He was spread out on the chaise, sipping whiskey with a glazed expression. He hadn’t spoken much, which was unlike him. I was used to his quick-witted humor keeping my nerves away. Still he said nothing, staring at the wall.
Eva and I had been separated all day. Her one and only condition for marrying me was that we did so in secret. Well, a relative secret. She did not want a garish event, only the two of us with our closest friends and family in attendance. I never hoped to be so lucky as to find my mate, never dreamed there was even someone out there who could love me. But I’d found all of that and more with Eva.
The thought of becoming hers in every sense of the word was something I could only dream about.
I reached for my own whiskey, downing it in one gulp, as Luka and Trystan came in. Both men cast side-long glances at Kalen, but I chose not to involve myself. I couldn’t give a fuck about anything other than Eva.
Luka dropped into the seat next to Kalen, snagging a bottle from the bar cart and taking a deep pull. Kalen looked at his empty glass, the mere dregs of liquid left before he reached over and ripped the bottle from Luka’s grasp.
Trystan sat back, watching the three of us with darkening eyes. He gave me a nod, and that was all there was to it. No sage words of wisdom or council, just a nod that I could do this and that it would be okay.
Briar stuck her head through the door, her hair pulled back behind her round face in a tight chignon with curls framing her face. She wore a sparkling, deep purple gown that fell down to the floor. Small diamonds adorned her ears.
“Good gods,” Luka muttered. “Is that—”
“Damn, Briar! You look like a brand new woman!” Kalen crooned, holding the whiskey bottle out to her. “Join us for a drink?” He swayed on his feet. Trystan caught him and held him upright.
The woman blushed, her rosy cheeks deepening. “No, but you boys best be ready. I’ve come to usher you to the courtyard.”
Kalen pouted, taking another swig. Trystan gripped the bottle and yanked it out of his hold, setting it down behind him. Renai poked her head in after Briar.
The commotion in the room stopped as we turned to stare at Renai. I’d never seen her in a dress like this before, not even for her courtly duties. By all accounts, Renai looked devastating. Her golden hair was set in soft curls down her back, accentuated by the dramatic drop in fabric that stopped low, at the small of her back. It was skin-tight velvet, the color a deep green that reminded me of the forests in Druiston. Thick kohl lined her eyes, and her lips were dramatically dark red.
“Fuck,” Trystan and Kalen said at the same time. Luka, to his credit, looked away and slapped both men on the back of the head.
