Page 158 of Shadow Queen
“Why do Shadowmen not show their faces?” he asked.
“Because we’re to be recognized by our achievements only.” She extended her arms, showing her markings. They ran from her shoulders to her wrists.
He set the book down on the desk and slowly stepped around it, closer to her. Unabashedly, he traveled his gaze down her arms. Geometric patterns formed larger images across her skin—they were really quite beautiful. But they held a darker meaning, he knew. Accomplishments for the Shadowmen meant death.
His eyes drifted up to hers. “Are you not allowed to show your face?”
“I’m allowed to do anything I want.” Her eyes taunted him.
Alexander felt the pulse of his heart against his chest. “Would youwantto show me your face?” he asked quietly. “Because I would very much like to see it.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Come look then, if you’re bold enough,” she challenged.
Alexander stepped closer. Slowly, he reached up and brought his fingers to her cheek, where the cloth met her skin. Ever so carefully, he pulled it down, revealing her smile underneath. Her nose, straight and masterfully sculpted, sat just above the full arches of her lips. The line of her jaw ran as sharp as her wit to the elegant curve of her chin.
The warmth of her skin against his fingers sparked a heat through him. He dropped his hand, remembering himself.
“Am I not a match for Northern beauty?” she asked with a wry smile.
He hesitated a moment before saying softly, “You’re beyond.”
His admission quieted them both. Then she smiled again. Not a challenging, smirking smile that her eyes so often showed, but a smile of one unsure. A curious smile. She stepped nearer to him.
“Do you want to kiss me, Bear?” she asked.
He did want to kiss her, but he made no move, and no comment. Not when he loved another—another, he reminded himself, that couldn’t love him back. Another that he could never be with. Norah was a dream, but Katya… Katya was real, and everything he told himself he’d never find in a woman. And Katya made him want to forget about dreams, if that was possible. Was it possible? Wasthispossible?
Katya pushed herself up on her toes and raised her chin, but she stopped just short of his lips. The sweet scent of her nearness dared him to come the rest of the way.
And he did.
He dropped his head and met her lips with his. The heat of her mouth stirred a burn inside him, and he pulled her closer, drinking her in. She tasted like the dew of summer, and he wanted more. But his mind caught up with him and pulled him back, and he broke their kiss.
They both stood breathless.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
Her brows knitted together. “For what? Do you think you’ve offended me?”
He couldn’t help an uneasy chuckle as he shifted his gaze down. “Have I offended you?”
She waited for his eyes to meet hers again, then she shook her head. “Not at all.”
Words sat jumbled on his tongue. “Good,” he said finally.Good? He cursed himself silently. A stupid thing to say.
She smiled again, this time a mocking one, and his cheeks grew hot. She stepped closer. “I like you pale Northmen,” she teased him.
“Why is that?”
She stepped even closer. “Because your skin betrays you. Do I make you uncomfortable, Bear?”
“I think you know exactly how you make me feel.”
Her smile widened, and she rocked onto her toes, lifting her lips. He dropped his head to meet her again, but before their lips touched, she pulled away. And smiled.
“Yes, I do,” she said smartly, and left him in his study.
Ashan was a beautiful city. Norah stood on the wall of the castle, looking out. This was her city. Her kingdom. She was salara.
