Page 58 of Taken By Shadows

I bit my lip and decided I would, for once, allow myself to enjoy the sights.

Just the sights.

“I liked the one I picked … but this is better. Much better.” His words cascaded over every inch of my exposed flesh, and I hoped he didn’t notice the involuntary way my skin pebbled at the compliment.

I quashed the feeling and lifted my chin.

Enjoy just the sights. Not the male.

I was here. For now, at least. Dressed in finery, readying to attend a party with a devastatingly dangerous escort. So what was the harm in looking at the view while I was imprisoned here?

With an uncharacteristic smile on my face, I took his hand.

Chapter eighteen

Heads turned as we entered the party through wrought iron garden gates.

We must have looked like quite the pair, both draped in leather and black, our drops of blood red.

If only they’d seen us earlier.

Or perhaps they were just unused to seeing Kaed at these events. He did say he was unlikely to get invited in the first place. Murmurs and whispers passed between guests as they watched, their eyes lingering a little longer than was seemly. I was used to that, though. Looks and words couldn’t faze me at this point, but I wondered what Kaed felt under the eyes of the masses.

Kaed always seemed like someone you’d move aside for. Even the first time I’d met him, something deeper, primeval awoke in me. Like a mythical creature waking from a slumber for centuries and finding they were starving.

People gathered as we entered the twinkling garden.

I wasn’t sure I felt as formidable as Kaed, but I held my head high, shoulders back. I was not a victim.

If I said it enough to myself, maybe I’d believe it.

And I was going to enjoy the view. Play the game. This was the best opportunity I had ever had. I was in a city, at a party, surrounded by fae; there were so many of them. Excitement bubbled inside of me at the thought of being surrounded by those like me. Or in so much as I was like anyone. Power didn’t hum from the party guests as we arrived. I had thought it might in the same way it did from Kaed. Before us was a sea of coppers, sand and warm or inky browns as people parted for us, their hair styled beautifully for the event, only outdone by their shimmering outfits.

Kaed offered me a bent elbow, and I took it. I think it surprised both of us that I did.

Maybe it was the events of this morning, but Kaed had been a little on edge up until that moment. I hadn’t spoken to him since he’d left me at the bathing chamber.

I wondered if he realised how his charade of our betrothal now rested with me—the power to uphold or destroy his reputation and expose his lies.

As we walked into the embrace of the garden, we were canopied by a pergola encompassing the grounds. Every beam was adorned with delicate glass baubles filled with warm fae light. The entire orchard flickered with enchantment.

“It’s beautiful,” I said, and Kaed regarded me with a steady look.

I felt pinned, like I wanted to hide beneath my lashes. But I blinked up at him. The spring air was warm, even in the night around us, but something warmer budded in me. I couldn’t pull my gaze from his painted eyes.

They urged me to look. To keep looking.

Heat bloomed in my cheeks under his scrutiny. And I felt Kaed look right through me.

“Nice to see you’re alive, Imogen.” Gavrin shattered the tension that had been twining like a vine between Kaed and me. As I broke eye contact, my flush faded.

“Brother, do you even have an invitation to this?” Kaed turned to Gavrin, who was wearing a gold silk shirt and a black dress coat. It was … decadent, to say the least.

“Daeghan won’t mind.”

“Pearl might,” Kaed countered.

Gavrin grunted. “She will be happier with my attendance than yours.”