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His eyes find mine—sharp, serious. “Why do you say that?”
“It just seems like me being here is bringing you more trouble, and you and I both know so much can happen between now and when that boat is built.”
“There’s always trouble for me, Willow Woman. That’ll never change.”
I laugh at the nickname, and he moves in closer. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”
“I just don’t think I should stay, Caz. I don’t know why, but it feels like those people were trying to kill Beatrix because ofus. And there’s no telling how many people know about our Tether by now. I hate saying it, but Killian was right. They can use me as leverage against you and that can prevent what you need to do.”
“I won’t let them get to you.”
“You can’t promise that.”
He takes another pull before putting out his bloom. Then he wraps his arms around me, bringing my cheek to his chest and holding me close.
“I’ve missed this,” he sighs, and I smile, taking a deep breath and then burying my face deeper into his chest. “You must understand. I don’t think I can let this go again.Us.”
I’m not sure what to say to that, so I remain quiet.
“But if you want to go back—if you don’t feel safe here—I understand, and I won’t make you stay.”
I lean back, tipping my chin to look up at him. “You think Iwantto go back?”
“Don’t you?”
“I’m not in a hurry to go, Caz. Iwantto be here, with you. I want more moments like this, on a balcony that faces a waterfall. Beneath starry night skies, with your family laughing around us.” I pause. “I don’t have this at home. Family. But if there’sdanger everywhere…we have to be careful. We have to play our cards right.”
He looks from me to everyone else. He studies them a moment, then takes my hand and leads me away from them. We venture along the rest of the wraparound balcony until we’re alone, still facing the moon. When we are, he brings me to him and cups my face in his hands, pressing his lips to mine. I expect his lips to be warm, but they’re not. They’re cold. But I take it because I’ve been dying for another kiss since he left for Luxor.
I lace my arms around the back of his neck, press my chest to his, but his body feels cold too. I break the kiss. “Are you okay? You feel cold.”
“I’m fine. Just a bit nippy out here.” He smiles, bringing his mouth down to mine again, then he picks me up, pressing my back against a marble column.
“Maybe there are ways I can come and go?” I offer.
“There may be. But we won’t know until tomorrow when we see Beatrix.” He drags his lips over the crook of my neck, and I shudder.
“Caz, you’re really cold.”
He frowns then, studying my face before placing me back on my feet. I grab his hands, and even through the gloves, they feel like blocks of ice.
“Let’s go to your room and light a fire,” I insist. Worry tugs at my gut, but I keep it at bay as I grab his hand and lead the way to his chambers. I enter the room swathed in gold and ivory and hurry to the fireplace, tossing logs into it and then asking for his lighter. He hands it to me, and I get the fire going, and suddenly I’m shivering so hard my teeth are chattering.
“You all right?” he asks.
“I’m f-fine.”
“Willow.” He steps closer. “Your lips are turning blue.”
I try to speak again, but I can’t. Though the fire is going now, I can’t feel the heat of it. And then I hear a chuckle, deep and sinister. When I look at Caz, his eyes are as black as coals.
I gasp, stumbling away, but he walks closer to me, smirking.
“Did you think it would be that easy?” he asks, but his voice is different. Darker. The air around me freezes, ice splintering up the walls. The fire is no longer burning hot. The flames are frozen solid. He steps closer.
“Caz,” I whisper.
“You didn’t listen to me, now I’m taking him. But don’t worry. It won’t be long before I take you too.”
