A Dawn of Onyx (The Sacred Stones, #1)(52)

“Arwen Lily Valondale,” he mused. My name on his lips was like a prayer, if a prayer could be sinfully torturous and sensual. It was nearly enough to make me whimper.

I cleared my throat.

“How do you know my surname?”

He clucked his tongue, shaking his head in playful reprimand, and my breasts tightened in response. Damn him. He shouldn’t do anything that makes me look at his mouth.

“You think I let prisoners roam free in my keep without doing my research?”

He sauntered closer and my lower stomach clenched. I was still so naked.

He had to go.

“Last time I checked, the tub was a private space, not a common room. Why were you in my quarters in the first place?”

Kane inched toward me further and knelt so as to not see inside the tub. When we were at eye level he said, “I wanted to ask…” he scratched at his jaw.

A terrible thought occurred to me, too late. Did he know it had been Mari and me in his study? Was that why he was here? Had he realized Briar’s amulet was missing? I tried to make my face appear indifferent.

He sighed. “If you might join me for something tomorrow night. I think it may help you understand this kingdom a bit more.”

Surprised was an understatement. I dipped a little lower in the tub to buy some time.

“Why should I?”

“Because I am telling you to?”

I scowled.

He laughed a warm and genuine laugh like I was hilarious. “Yeah, I didn’t think that would mean much. How about, because it will ease your insatiable curiosity about me and this kingdom, and the war which you have so many opinions on.”

“Fine,” I nearly smiled. He had me there.

“Good,” he grinned. “I’ll have Barney bring you.”

I turned, reaching for my robes behind me when I heard his sharp inhale. I spun back to him and waited for whatever was on the tip of his tongue, but I already knew what was coming.

He looked stricken.

“You have scars.” He said it like he could break iron with his fists.

Despite the hot water, a shiver ran across my back.

“Yes,” was all I could manage. That was not a part of my life I wanted to share with anyone, especially him.

“Who did that to you?” he said in a low tone I could barely hear.

Images of Powell and his belt assaulted my mind’s eye.

I flushed. “It was a long time ago.”

As if he could see what the memories did to me, he didn’t push further, for which I was grateful. Instead, he swallowed and held my eyes.

When I didn’t look away, he leaned slightly closer, his expression one I couldn’t read. His jaw was still as hard as granite.

The space between us pulsed with slow, agonizing energy.

My core still ached.

Our faces were far too close for how naked I was. And how near to coming I had been mere moments ago. I could smell his leathery, woodsy scent, and it was mind-altering.

I drew my tongue across my bottom lip and watched him follow the movement with something like a wince—as if the movement pained him. His eyes had gone fully black, all pupil. Not an ounce of the slate gray that usually stared back at me. They followed a line down the column of my neck, to my collarbone, to where my breasts were pushed together underneath my folded arms. His lips parted slightly.

But he didn’t look lower, and I felt both relief and disappointment.

I angled my face up toward him. I wanted him to kiss me. I could admit it to myself—I wanted his lips on mine more than I wanted my next breath.

But his brows creased and he shook his head, cleared his throat, and stood up.

“I’m sorry,” he said, before walking out of the washroom without another word, and leaving me breathless.





FOURTEEN


I followed Barney out into the sea of tents. A wide and shining harvest moon hung in the crisp night sky, and it glowed on his soft, familiar face. I was stunned to realize I had missed the sweet, doughy man.

I had borrowed a dress from Mari and a few of the black ribbons so often found in Onyx women’s hair. I had no idea what Kane wanted me to see, and neither did she. She had mused that maybe he was going to bring me to the front lines and show me the realities of war so I could see why he ruled so cruelly. I couldn’t imagine anything more terrible.

Dagan had been even less helpful. I only revealed that the King had asked me to join him for something that evening, and of course left out all of the needy wanting and aggressive eye contact that seemed to overcome the two of us the past few days. I had a feeling Dagan knew something else was going on, though. Every time I spoke of Kane my cheeks grew hot. When I had asked if he knew why the King might wish for me to join him tonight, he only rolled his eyes and left me alone in the apothecary for the rest of the day. Reminder: do not ask Dagan for relationship advice.

The sound of fire crackling in my ears, Barney and I passed by men cooking pots of stew, dealing cards, and drinking ale. The soldiers that had been so fearsome to me just a few weeks ago now seemed like Ryder and his friends—playful, boyish, and all too young.

We rounded a boisterous corner and came across a tall, pitch-black tent. It was more like a pavilion—adorned with silver filigree around the entrance and banners on each side with the Onyx emblem.

I recognized the area, and nausea flitted through me.