Page 64 of Taken By Shadows

“You were watching?” The music slowed to a sway.

“As politely as I can put this …” Eryk paused and leaned in ever so slightly. “Most people here were watching you.”

I blushed a little and peered around as Eryk spun me with the music.

“You’ve become quite the point of conversation.” His hands came to rest high on my back. Not low. Not reaching. Not searching.

“Oh?” I said as Eryk twirled us around the dance floor.

“Lord Kaedian with a new bride on his arm is one thing. But one so lovely and captivating as you? One can only guess he stole you and doesn’t deserve you.”

A laugh escaped me at the truth Eryk had hit upon. “And what do you do, Lord Eryk? When you’re not swooping in to save people from their own dancing?”

Eryk’s laugh was full and loud, and it rumbled through his chest.

I liked him. There was something effortless about the way he spoke. Nothing seemed to have an undercurrent. From the lightning spark of dancing with Kaed to the warm evening breeze that was Eryk, the difference in their beings was staggering.

“I work for the city.”

“A councillor like Celeste?”

Eryk huffed a laugh. “Not exactly. I work for the city, not the council.” A distinction he took seriously, evidently. “I find I work best as my own master. Think of me as freelancing my skills to the city.”

“I see.” A smile tugged at my lips.

“There are many ugly things in this city; how the Four Corners thrive, there’s no beauty in it. But—”

“But you’re going to fix it all?” I interjected with a wry smile.

Eryk paused—a flirtatious curve haunting his lips. “But,” he continued, “I can see one thing that is very beautiful.”

I blushed again. My eyes didn’t know where to look.

A broad smile came across Eryk’s face, but I couldn’t match it. “I spend my time working to better this city,” Eryk continued, his eyes darting above and behind me occasionally. “There are many improvements a city like this could make.”

I smiled, inviting him to elaborate.

“The city’s waterways and drainage, for example. The irrigation and crop storage. Salt is vitally important to a city’s survival.” He paused, looking away. “I would see this city—the Corners—less dependent on trade and the Crown’s whim.”

I had stumbled into something Eryk was passionate about, and I felt a little abashed.

“I’m sorry. I must be boring you, my lady.”

“Not at all.” I smiled again as we continued to dance. “I just—”

“Eryk.” Kaedian clapped a hand to my dance partner’s shoulder as he came up behind him. “So sorry to interrupt, but my lady is leaving.”

My mouth hung open unattractively. “What gives you the right?” I had stopped dancing, and Eryk looked between the two of us.

Kaed levelled me a look that said, Not now. Don’t do this now.

“Well, then, if you won’t leave, then Eryk will. I must have a dance with my betrothed.”

Without a word, Eryk stepped back, and Kaed gripped my arm.

Once we were on the far corner of the dance floor, I stopped him short. “Do you always act like this? Possessive? Belligerent? Tactless?” What was he doing? He’d abandoned me there and was stomping all over the actual enjoyment I was having. Eryk’s conversation was easy.

“Anything else?”