Page 72 of The Shadows Between Us
“Perhaps I should have a talk with him about how you are unavailable.”
“Oh, please don’t make an issue of it,” I say. “But if it’s not too much to ask, should he attempt to come to the palace…”
“I won’t let the guards admit him. Say nothing more.”
I relax. As long as I’m in Kallias’s confidence, I needn’t worry about the baron. Hektor will not ruin this for me.
Kallias returns to his breakfast, while I think through a reply for the baron. I’ll assure him that despite what he’s heard, I barely knew his son, and I’m afraid I have no information to assist in his search. Then I will pass along my regrets.
Yes, that should take care of things for now. I certainly can’t leave the palace to deal with this issue myself. Not when things are finally turning around for Kallias and me.
ISEEKALLIAS AGAINat lunch.
Twice in one day.
“You will be happy to know that both of your plans are progressingsplendidly,” he says to me while a servant brings a fresh bowl of soup for the king. “The people of Pegai have cast their votes for representation on the council. The newly appointed voice of the people is being followed discreetly everywhere he goes. We will know all the ringleaders of the revolt soon enough. As for the bandit, he struck this morning and took the freshly stamped coins. We will begin searching nearby towns for the gold first thing tomorrow.”
Kallias’s leg bounces underneath the table. He’s in a very fine mood.
A wave of pleasure washes over me at his words. “Excellent. I would be very interested to remain informed on both situations.”
“Of course. I’m beginning to realize there is nothing I care to keep from you anymore.”
An amiable silence sits between us as we enjoy the food. At one point, I find Kallias watching me out of the corner of my eye. When I turn my head, he only grins when caught staring.
“What are you looking at?”
“That should be obvious. Perhaps you’d like to ask me what I’m thinking instead?” His eyes are liquid fire, and I wonder just how dangerous it might be to ask that very question.
But I do anyway.
“I’m thinking,” he answers, “that you are quite beautiful, and every man at this table wishes he were me right now.”
My stomach starts to flutter. “You are king. Every mandoeswish he were you.”
“No. Every man wishes he had you at his side.”
“You said I wasn’t beautiful enough to be tempting,” I remind him.
He takes his napkin from his lap and brushes his fingers against it. “I lied. You’re the most stunning thing to ever set foot in my palace.”
Our eyes hold. I’m helpless but to maintain the connection sizzling between us.
And though I know he won’t break the law—not yet—for me, knowing that I have some hold on him brings a slow smile to my lips.
He stares down at them, at the red stain that graces my skin.
“Why are you telling me this?” I ask finally. And then I realize, “You don’t want me to spend any more time with Leandros.”
He admits, “I want to keep you all to myself.”
I shouldn’t be surprised at all that a king would be selfish, demanding, even cruel at times. But he is other things as well. He is intelligent, handsome, and giving. And he is not entirely unchangeable. He is changing his ways already for me.
“I think, Your Majesty, that all this talk of past indulgences is getting to your head.”
“Perhaps I am simply in a good mood. Everything is going quite splendidly.”
And it is all due to me.
