Page 187 of Shadow Queen
It was late, but this wasn’t an offer he could refuse. He glanced around for a tavern.
“My house is just a few streets up,” she added.
He paused. “Ah.” Her eyes held a welcome smile, and he smiled back. “I’d love a drink.”
They walked the cobbled streets under the gas lamps. Alexander had never realized how peaceful Kharav was at night.
“You saw your nephew?” she asked.
“I did. He’s beautiful.”
“Not surprising. Look at his family.”
Alexander chuckled, and a warmth came to his cheeks.
They reached a well-kept rowhome, and Katya led him through the front door and foyer and back into a kitchen.
Alexander glanced around. It was a nice home—nicer than he’d expect a soldier’s home to be, even for a captain. Kharav paid its army well, and it showed. The high ceilings had simple but elegant trim, and the furniture, while not lavish, was beautifully made and well situated. The kitchen was large, with enough space to employ a castle’s staff.
“You live here by yourself?”
She smiled as his eyes wandered around the massive kitchen. “With my mother. She loves to cook and always wanted a big kitchen. When I made captain and was able to buy her one, I did. She’s at her sister’s now. I would have liked for her to have met you.”
Alexander would have liked to have met Katya’s mother.
She pulled out a pitcher of ale and poured two glasses. Then she led him to a round table, and they sat.
“It’s good to see you, Bear.”
He chuckled.
Her brows dipped. “What?”
“I like to think we know each other. Perhaps we might move to a first-name basis.” He stared at her: her eyes, her nose, her lips. He’d almost forgotten how beautiful she was.Almost. “Katya.”
She pressed her lips to hold her smile as she stared back at him. “Alexander.” She took another drink of her wine. “I’ve thought a lot about when I might see you again.”
He had too. “And what did you think about?”
“How I’d invite you for a drink.” She stilled as her eyes caught his, and they sat in the quiet of the moment. “And then I’d invite you to stay.”
His pulse quickened, and the groin of his leathers grew tighter, but he settled himself. He couldn’t give in to the wants of his body. It wouldn’t be fair to her. “I wouldn’t take advantage of you this way. I can give neither my hand nor my heart.”
“You?Take advantage ofme?” She gave a light laugh, then her face grew more serious. “I don’t ask for your heart, and I don’t want your hand.” She tilted her head to the side. “But I do want you to stay.”
Stay. And be with her. Gods, he wanted to. He’d thought about Katya a great deal since he’d last seen her. He’d thought about her eyes, and the line of her jaw, and the fullness of her lips. He’d thought about her skin, and the feel of it against his. But he couldn’t stay. While she’d said he wouldn’t be taking advantage, he couldn’t help but feel…
She leaned back slightly. “I’m sorry. I’ve misread you, misread what’s between us.”
He caught her hand, stilling them both. “Katya.” Her eyes stared at him, dark and deep. He felt like he could fall into them. “You’ve misread nothing.” He shook his head. “But I leave tomorrow. What if we never see each other again?”
“Exactly,” she whispered. “What if we never have the chance to be with each other again? To take peace in each other, enjoy each other. Is this time not precious?” She leaned closer. “Stay.”
She was beautiful, but it was more than her beauty. Katya had come to know him well over the past months. He’d come to know her. Slowly, he brought his hand to her cheek, brushing her skin with his thumb, and he pulled her lips to his.
And he stayed.
Chapter fifty-six
