Page 109 of The Shadows Between Us
Satisfied that he’s too fast asleep to remember any of it, I shut the door on him and make ready for bed.
KALLIAS LETS HIMSELF THROUGHthe wall into my room the next morning for breakfast. “Well, that answers that question.”
He has one hand pressed against his head, and he’s still in his clothes from last night.
“What question?”
“I can still call my shadows around you.”
“Was there any doubt you would be able to?” I ask, trying to ignore the way the thin material of his shirt outlines all the muscled parts of him.
“I don’t remember much. You helped me to my room. I thought perhaps I might have thrown myself at you.”
I hide my smile behind a teacup. “You did. I had to fend you off.”
“Typical. I haven’t been drunk since I was made king. Naturally I throw myself at the first female in sight.”
“Naturally.”
“Was it bad? What did I say?”
“You tried to kiss my ungloved hand. You’re so polite, Kallias, even as a drunk.” Then I laugh at him.
“My mother raised me to be proper,” he says, unapologetic.
“She would be proud of you.”
Kallias lets a sad smile grace his lips. Then he looks down at himself. “We should get dressed and join the other nobles for breakfast.”
“Why? We never attend breakfast with the nobles.”
“I have something to show you, and I’m too impatient to wait until the lunch hour. I had it commissioned some time ago, and I’ve just received word that it’s done.”
“And it’s… in the great hall?” What did he do? Commission a tablecloth with our initials?
“Yes. No more questions. You’ll understand. I’ll be back in half an hour to collect you.”
Then he disappears back through the wall.
“You clearly have no idea how long it takes a lady to get ready!” I shout after him.
THE GUARDS FOLLOW USat a not-so-discreet distance, but I don’t mind. Not when they are keeping Kallias safe.
He takes my arm this morning, not caring who looks on. Perhaps with a killer on the loose, it doesn’t matter to him who sees us touching through our clothes.
Kallias somehow found the time to batheanddress this morning. His hair looks slightly damp, but it still manages to maintain impressive volume. I wonder if he doesn’t keep his hair out of his face because he knows just how delicious his facial features are. His nose is so straight and perfect, I want to run the tip of a finger down its slope before tracing his full lips.
Even his ears—decidedly unattractive body parts—manage to look pristine. And I can’t help but imagine what sound he would make if I tugged down on his lobe with my teeth.
“You seem distracted this morning,” Kallias says. “Did something happen I’m not aware of?”
“No.” I turn my face away from him as I feel heat rush to my cheeks. Am I blushing? I haven’t blushed at being caught staring at a man in—
“Here we are.”
The doors to the great hall are open already, the sound of the nobles’ chatter wafting out to us.
Kallias doesn’t pause as we enter, though the nobles instantly quiet, perhaps at the way we’re walking arm in arm, when no one else is permitted to touch the king without suffering death.
