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Too focused on Kaely, I didn’t hear any footsteps approaching. When I turn, I see Arluin behind us. Frost shrouds his expression. The muscle at his jaw twitches as he meets Kaely’s eyes, refusing to give her even an inch of ground as their stares lock together.
“Arluin Harstall,” Kaely chides, her stare unrelenting as she speaks, “what a surprise. It seems you have your dog on a tight leash, Reyna.”
“Leave us,” Arluin hisses through his teeth. While my fury burns like wildfire, his is stone cold.
“You don’t scare me,necromancer.”
Arluin steps closer to her, his expression still frosty. I doubt even Kaely will succeed in melting it. I’ve never seen him lose his temper.
But there’s a darkness in his eyes which makes me tremble. All I can think about is what he confessed to me yesterday. About the magic his father taught him, the crimes he himself has committed, and the secrets I swore to take to my grave.
Kaely’s shoulders jerk back as he approaches. She would never admit it, but there’s fear in her gaze. Whatever I can see in Arluin’s expression, she can see it too.
“What are you going to do?” Her tone doesn’t reveal her unease. It’s as brash as always. “Kill me and raise me from the dead, just like your father reanimated corpses from graveyards?”
“Yes,” Arluin breathes, mere inches from her. His voice is so quiet it’s barely a whisper. “That is exactly what I will do. I’ll kill you and bring you back from the dead as a mindless ghoul, forced to obey my every command while the very flesh rots upon your walking corpse.”
Biles creeps up my throat. Especially as his face twists into an expression so wicked even Kaely’s pales in comparison.
He terrifies me.
It’s an awful thing to admit. That the boy I love, the boy I will marry, frightens me so much that a chill rattles through my bones.
I shouldn’t be thinking this. I shouldn’t fear him like everyone else. But I feel only horror.
Kaely stumbles back. A strangled noise escapes her throat as she stifles her fear. She whirls around, searching for witnesses. But aside from the three of us, only the books heard Arluin’s terrifying words.
“You...” Her voice quivers. “You wouldn’t dare. You would be banished. Just like your father. Or worse.”
Arluin arches a brow. “What makes you think I fear banishment? Or even death? Do you dare test me?”
Kaely draws in a shaky breath. She opens her mouth, but no sound comes out.
Never have I seen her lost for words.
I should relish in her fear. But I feel only dread.
“You’re still standing here?” Arluin sneers. “You wish to become my undead pet?”
Kaely stares at him, her eyes wide with horror, as if she can’t believe what he’s saying. When Arluin’s lips curl into a wicked smile, she turns and flees without hesitation.
I gaze at the empty spot where she stood. I can barely breathe. Fear still imprisons me. I must banish it. Or my reaction will hurt him.
But I don’t know how to shake away the dread coiling through my stomach.
Arluin draws closer to me. I try not to shudder as he takes my hand. As his thumb brushes over my cheek.
“I just heard what happened this afternoon,” he murmurs. “I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner. Are you all right?”
I can only manage a stiff nod.
I am a horrible person. He stepped in to defend me, is worried for my sake, and yet I can barely stand the feel of his touch.
I force myself to meet his eyes. Magenta. They are magenta, and not the color of death.
He must see the fright in my expression since his fingers leave my cheek. His hand releases mine.
“You’re scared of me.” Arluin takes a step away, his throat bobbing as he swallows. “Aren’t you, Reyna?”
