Page 115 of The Shadows Between Us
“You’re still pardoned, if that’s what you’re worried about. I would never blackmail you into marriage! You’ll be free to remain at the palace as long as you wish or to go.” His face drops a little. “But I would be… most saddened if you left.”
I think for a moment, but Kallias can’t bear the silence.
“I need you, Alessandra. Say you’ll be mine and I’ll be yours.”
He needs me. But he doesn’t want me. He’s giving me power. Everything I could ever want.
Why is this a hard decision?
Finally, I say, “I want a proper proposal. A public one.” I cross my arms over my chest. “And no more laughing at me over Hektor Galanis. In fact, I never want to hear his name again.”
Kallias grabs my gloved hand and kisses it. “Done. Now, let’s discuss what you’ve done so far for the upcoming ball. Don’t you think it will be the perfect opportunity for a proper and public proposal?”
I’M MARRYING THE KING.
The crimes of my past are forgiven.
I’ll be free of my family once and for all. I can banish them from court forever!
But there is a killer out there. Someone who wants to take Kallias and this future from me.
I will not let that happen.
I realize that Kallias and I have perhaps been troubling over the wrong thing. The talk of a public parade through the streets had us worried, but I realize now that my ball is both sooner and just as public.
That will be when the killer strikes. I’m sure of it.
I share my concerns with Kallias while I sit in my rooms, working on my dress for the ball a couple of weeks later.
“I thought of that as well,” he answers. “We’ll double down on the guards. Check all the guests for weapons before they’re admitted into the ballroom.”
“Just what is the range on your abilities?” I ask him. “What is the farthest away the murderer need be to cancel your shadows?”
Kallias shrugs.
“You’ve never tested it?”
“Of course I have. I just don’t want to worry you.”
At my responding glare, he answers, “Fifty yards.”
“That’s all!” A talented marksman could manage that easily.
“I’ll be safe, Alessandra.We’llbe safe. It will be all right.”
“I’d feel better if none of your council members were admitted.”
“I would as well, but we can’t very well uninvite them. Now stop fretting. Come show me what you’re working on.”
“No,” I say. “I’d rather you see it on me when it’s all done.”
“That’s quite a lot of fabric,” he says sadly.
“Oh, hush.”
CHAPTER
25
