Page 39 of Taken By Shadows

Kaed shot him a look that promised violence.

“I thought lords would get invited to everything,” I mocked, falling easily in tone with Gavrin. “Or weren’t you ever taught manners for polite society?” Not that I knew anything about polite society. But how a lord had managed to find himself excluded from revelries and events, I wasn’t sure. Maybe the people of this city just didn’t like him. I could empathise with them on that, I supposed.

Kaed’s eyes went mercilessly dark as he looked between Gavrin and me.

Gavrin held up his hands in surrender. “Don’t look at me.”

I took a step towards those dark eyes. “Maybe my good friend Councillor Carron could get you an invite? You could even bring your new lady.” I had no intention of going to a party, but taunting him when he seemed to be so tightly wound was a pleasure I couldn’t deny myself.

Storms gathered in Kaed’s eyes at the reminder of our ill-struck arrangement last night.

Beside me, Audrie looked at me with confusion.

Kaed had stepped into my light. He hadn’t said anything, but his presence was enough to make anyone consider their safety.

“Stop it! You’ll scare her.” Audrie moved in front of me, even though I didn’t feel the fear I probably should have. As if on instinct at being commanded, Kaed glowered at the tiny human standing between the demon and me.

And then it was Audrie who seemed afraid.

I swapped places with her until I was practically pressed to Kaed.

With a hesitant pause, he pulled back from glaring at Audrie, and his focus shifted entirely to me. I felt pinned beneath his stare, but I refused to cower. My eyes wanted to pull away from him, but I forced them to look up into his.

“Leave. Her. Be.” I took Audrie’s hand in mine. “Or we are leaving.” I turned Audrie to the door, but Gavrin made no signs of moving.

“You’re here until I get what I want from you.” His words were measured, but there was an unmistakable tremble of power in them. “As long as that may take,” he said slowly as he took a step towards me. “You might not be in a cell. But make no mistake”—the thrum of my heart was all there was in the silence before he leaned over me—“you are mine. You will remain mine until such time as I have what I want.”

I went still. A glacial lake with an impenetrable surface. Beneath the mirror of my exterior, rage rippled. “My betrothed, everyone.” My sardonic tone was ripe with ire.

“What?” Audrie blinked.

After hiding his grimace, Kaed said, “Didn’t you hear the happy news, Miss Stairlor?” He straightened, a false smile pinched at his mouth. “Imogen here is my intended. As of last night. It was terribly romantic. The details are … not worth telling, but I’m sure she will fill you in.” The venom in his voice could set fire to the sea.

“Congratulations,” she breathed, perhaps not quite believing what she heard. And I couldn’t blame her for being shaken by the news. It was the most ridiculous thing imaginable.

“It was just the only way this cad could think to explain away why he’d kidnapped someone, to a city she didn’t recognise. Late at night. Just before a storm.” I wasn’t sure why I was telling Audrie this. I’d only just met the girl, but she was kind.

Her eyes bugged as I explained what had happened last night. Perhaps I’d said too much, but I wasn’t about to pass up honesty if it would win me an ally in this place.

Kaed twitched a smile, but his eyes darkened. “Careful, peach.” He levelled his gaze at me, and the corners of the room grew dark like the edges of a page caught by fire.

Why I felt the need, the urge to taunt him, I didn’t know. I didn’t know what he was capable of, but tiny sparks inside of me kept shooting off as if to find out. A ripple of fear tumbled through me, but I bit down on it until it stilled.

“It’s necessary,” I clarified to Audrie. “For both of our interests.”

“I’m not happy about it. But—” His face became a placid mask, indifferent to the situation he had created for himself.

“Are you ever happy?” I cut in.

“I’m enjoying it!” Gavrin shot over us.

“Sometimes. On special occasions.” His smile was wicked. Knowing. “I’m not happy about it. But Lady Imogen forced my hand.”

I scoffed. “Much like you forced me to be here?”

“While she is here,” he continued over me. “You”—his eyes flicked to a quivering Audrie—“will be her escort through the city. You’re not to leave the city limits, and if you’re going anywhere beyond your normal routes to the library, either I, Denora, or Gavrin will be informed. You’re being given this task—”

She was shaking as Kaed spoke.