Page 28 of These Godly Lies
“Fragile?”
Beside her, Khiran curses under his breath as he quickly places himself in front of her—blocking her from Cassius’ view. Anna peeks over his shoulder, standing on her toes, and catches a glimpse just in time to see Cassius’ smile fall.
“Whatever accommodations you can spare would be most appreciated. We—”
Cassius waves a hand as if sweeping the conversation away entirely. “No, no. Forget all that. Bring back your lady friend. I want to speak to her.”
Khiran’s jaw flexes. “No. We need shelter. You will either grant the request or turn us away. There is nothing else to discuss.”
Hands covering over his closed fist, Anna steps out of his shadow and stands at his side. “Silas trusts him,” she says, a quiet reprimand. “We can too.”
He disagrees. She can see it hardening the edges of his gaze, drawing his brows into a furious frown. In her hands, his fist trembles. She gives a gentle squeeze, holding his stare. “Together,” she whispers. A promise and a reminder.
When she turns to face him, it’s clear Cassius has watched the interaction with rapt attention. His blonde brows rise, equal parts invitation and dare. “Who are you?”
“I’m… just Anna.”
“Don’t be coy. As lovely as it looks on you, I’m not in the mood for games. Particularly when you come into my home claiming friendship to someone I hold dear.”
“It’s the truth.”
“Is it? Why should I believe you?”
Anna frowns. “Why wouldn’t you?”
Cassius tips his head in Khiran’s direction without breaking eyecontact. “Do you know what we call your lover? TheLiesmith. He’s been here less than five minutes and he’s already proving worthy of his title. Why should you be different?”
Beside her, Khiran bristles. Anna’s stare hardens. “He’s trying to protect me,” she counters. “Honesty is an easy sacrifice when you’re afraid.”
Cassius studies her. “But you’re not afraid, are you? Why is that?”
She shrugs. “Silas trusts you. I trust Silas. Even if we weren’t friends, he would never lead me to harm. It isn’t who he is.”
“How… simple.”
Anna thinks of the evening Khiran came back to her, a peach in his hand and an apology in his gaze. She glances at him, relieved to find him more resigned than angry. She offers him a small smile. “The truth usually is.”
“Adorable.” The word falls flat. “In a naïve, mortal sort of way.” Cassius looks between them, no less wary. “Very well, then.” He holds out a hand between them. “It is an honor to meet you, Just Anna, Friend of Silas.”
Anna puts her hand in his, his palm warm against her own. Something in his crystalline eyes—a spark of mischief—is her only warning before his grip tightens and hepulls. She stumbles toward him, Khiran’s snarl echoing in her ears as Cassius’ mouth covers her gasp.
It’s a fleeting touch, too unexpected to even fully register it. She jerks away, relieved to find his hold on her loose enough to escape.
Khiran’s hands are already at his throat, his knuckles white against the dark silk of the other man’s shirt and his fury electric. “Undo it,” he growls. “Undo itnowor I promise you, death will not come swiftly enough.”
Cassius doesn’t seem at all intimidated—he’s too busy staring ather. “There’s nothing to undo,” he murmurs, his brow lined with shock. “What have you done?”
Heat blossoms in her chest, vivid and sweltering, the lingering shock melting away like a candle in a blaze. Anna has no idea what he was trying to accomplish—she’s not sure it matters. Not when hetried to useherto do it. She stalks toward them, spine straight as she pushes Khiran aside. She thinks she hears her name on his lips as his grip loosens from the other man’s shirt. It sounds like a question. Anna can’t be sure, not when the blood is rushing in her ears.
Her palm stings with bitter satisfaction as it connects with Cassius’ cheek.
There are so many emotions clamoring in her chest, tangled in knots on her tongue. She spits out the one that rings loudest; the one too tough to swallow. “Silas calls you a friend,” she fumes. “He would beashamed.”
Cassius sucks in a breath, so soft she almost misses it. The way he stares down at her, shock twisting into something she can’t recognize. Maybe it’s guilt. She hopes it is.
The pain in her palm is already gone. She almost wishes it wasn’t. It would help distract her from the disappointment, theworry, that’s creeping in and slowly suffocating her fury.
Khiran’s hands cradle her jaw, turning her to face him and searching her answering stare for something she doesn’t recognize. When Anna reaches for his wrists, a gentle hold, the sigh he breathes is full of relief. His lips kiss her forehead, more firm than tender. Anna can feel the lingering traces of fear in it.
