Page 36 of Midnight Shadow

Terran drew up slightly, his demeanor becoming cooler. “I don’t think he’d object to having his son-in-law dine in his hall.”

Bria turned away from him, shaking her head. “Surely you see it is futile. My father will not betroth me to you.”

Terran stepped up close behind her, and a shiver raced up her spine. She held her breath, waiting.

“If you speak to him, perhaps he will change his mind,” Terran murmured.

Bria felt that rush again, that anticipatory anxiousness. “Why would I speak with him?” she asked.

“Because you want to be my wife,” he whispered against the nape of her neck. His hot breath sent shivers shooting down to her toes. She closed her eyes, relishing the feeling. She opened her mouth to deny it, but no denial came forth.

He chuckled low in his throat and brushed a kiss against the soft skin of her neck. “You are mine. You have always been mine.”

Bria half turned to him and something caught in her throat as she saw just how close he was. He was going to kiss her.

When he spoke again, his lips caressed her hair. “I will not give you up, my lady.”

The sound of approaching footsteps caused Terran to step back from her. Without the warmth of his body radiating over her, the spell was broken. Bria stumbled forward, quickly moving away from him. She trembled as she hurried down the hallway, feeling his gaze upon her. The pace of her steps increased until she rounded a corner to a spiral stairway. She stopped and leaned against the stone wall, almost as if she were hiding from his view.

What is happening to me? Every time Terran is near, I lose my senses. It must be because I am so tired. I barely slept at all last night. She had lain in bed, excitedly replaying her daring exploit with the tax collector over and over in her mind.

Yes, she thought. I’m just tired.

And in danger, another voice reminded her. He may have just been your suitor before last night, but now the real war has begun. You‘ve made him your enemy now.

With that certainty, Bria moved toward the Great Hall to break her fast.

Kenric sat in Terran’s judgment chair in Castle Knowles, staring down at the tax collector who had returned empty-handed. “The Midnight Shadow?”

“Yes,” the man replied. “I swear he just disappeared with the bag, or I would have chased him down.”

Kenric’s eyes narrowed. “That’s a good story,” he commended. “Now give up the bag.”

The tax collector’s eyes widened. “I don’t have it, I swear!”

Kenric nodded at one of his men standing near the door. The man approached the tax collector. “Make this easy on yourself. Give it up.”

“I don’t have it! This man just appeared out of the night and stole the bag from me at sword point!”

“Yet you have no proof.”

“What was I to do?”

“Die.” Kenric nodded at the soldier behind the man.

The soldier pulled his sword from its scabbard and plunged it into the tax collector’s back.

The man stared at Kenric with large eyes before slumping lifeless to the floor.

“The Midnight Shadow,” Kenric muttered. “Such nonsense.”

Chapter sixteen

Terran sat in the back of the Great Hall watching the head table. Bria, her father, and grandfather all sat there, looking righteous and proud.

Terran ripped off a chunk of venison. He watched Bria as he slowly, thoughtfully, chewed his food. Her long brown hair was wound tightly in a braid running down her back along her spine. He only glimpsed it when she turned to exchange a word with her father or grandfather, who sat at her side like sentinels.

Terran tore his gaze from her. She was no Odella. She was bold, headstrong and determined. But those qualities only made her more appealing, more of a challenge.