Especially considering I was in a very similar position only a few hours prior, my back sinking into his chest, those same strong forearms on my thighs.
Sucking in a breath, I search the skies, desperate for a distraction. But the twisting tree branches above remind me too much of fingers, and I shiver, returning my attention to the forest.
“Cold?” Kasimir says into my ear.
“No.” But I may as well have said nothing at all. He removes his cloak and drops it over my shoulders, holding me tighter than he did before.
“You did well tonight,” he continues, urging Destiny further through the woods. “You danced perfectly and you played the part well too. Mr Bailey didn’t suspect a thing, until it was too late, of course.” Kaz laughs, while I can’t help but shudder.
“Do you do that often then?” I ask quietly.
Behind me, his chest rumbles. “Hmm?”
“As in… Do you save people often? Are there a lot of evil groups like that in Night Alley?”
“There’s evil everywhere, Ruby,” he explains. “Even in your golden-spired palace.”
My eyes narrow. “You mean my father?”
Kaz stiffens, but before he can reply, laughter bubbles up my throat.
“What?” he presses.
“It’s just funny.” I shake my head. “He’d throw a fit if he knew of the night I’d had. And my sisters would too.” Even Dahlia, probably. Although hers would be more of an excited ‘tell me everything’ sort of fit, instead of sheer panic.
“And will you tell them, your sisters?” Kaz asks.
“No.” But then I wince, voice softening. “Of course I trust them not to tell anyone. But the moment I say anything, I’llnever hear the end of it. And of course they’d want to hear all about you. It’s bad enough when I go on dates with princes.”
Kaz’s grip on my waist tightens, sending my stomach diving into the warmth between my legs.
“And what would you tell them?” he purrs. “About me?”
A nervous laugh brushes my lips. “Well for starters you’re,” I pause, chewing my lip, “much more handsome than I was expecting.”
He chuckles. “And?”
“My sisters would probably think you’re charming too,” I add truthfully.
“What about you, though? What do you think of me?”
I shudder as the words I wanted to start with cross my lips. “I think you’re dangerous.”
“Am I?” he murmurs. “Do I scare you, Ruby?”
My breath catches. Keeping my eyes fixed on the dark trees, I nod.
“But you like it that way, don’t you?” His arm that was circling my waist drops to my thigh as I shudder. “I think you like it when I scare you… I think you want me to make you scream,” he laughs darkly.
Is he right? I really don’t know…
Before I can reply, I’m jolted forward as Kasimir pulls Destiny to a halt. Her hooves stamp into the leafy floor.
“What is it?” I whisper.
Kaz stays silent while I feel his gaze searching through the trees. Eventually, he tugs on Destiny’s reins and urges her to head in another direction.
“We’re not alone,” he tells me, his voice low.
