A Kiss of Shadow (Court of Starlight and Darkness #2)(31)

“Yes. Now tell me about the attack. If it wasn’t the person you thought it was, who was it?”

“No, and I don’t know who they were.”

“Some type of mercenary. We’ll look into which guild and who hired them.” His gaze searched mine, worry behind his eyes. “Why did you collapse after the fight? You looked fine.”

“Exhaustion.”

He shook his head. “That’s not it.”

“It is, I was—”

“Sia.” His tone was sharp enough to stop my words and grab my attention. “You just made me agree to trust you. So you need to trust me. Your life is at risk, and I can help.”

I drew in a shuddery breath.

I really had almost died. Twice.

And he was right about the trust thing.

“I think they’re trying to take my magic,” I said, remembering what the end of the fight had felt like. “That’s why I passed out. When I was fighting the last guy, it felt like he was trying to tear my magic out of me.”

Shock flashed on his face. “Was this the first time that’s happened?”

“I don’t think so. It might have happened yesterday, when the yellow-eyed man was trying to throw me off the train. But I was so out of my mind from the poison that I didn’t realize what was happening.”

“Why would they want your magic?” The suspicion in his voice made me twitch. “What is so unique about it? I know it’s unusual, but to kill you for it…”

“I don’t know.” Finding my parents would help, but I didn’t want to draw his attention back to them.

“I don’t believe that for a second.” He shook his head. “I can’t help you if you don’t tell me the truth.”

I couldn’t tell him I was a witch. He hated witches. His entire kingdom did. For good reason, even though it was pretty prejudiced in the big picture.

My friends had made it clear I needed to keep my true nature a secret. They’d harbored me, and I didn’t want them getting thrown in the tower.

I had to protect them as well as myself. “There is no truth to tell. Or if there is, I don’t know it.”

And I really didn’t. I had no idea what was up with my magic or why they would want it.

“Damn it, Sia. I’m trying to protect you.”

“I can protect myself!” Irritation shot through me. I’d been thrown into this dangerous world, and I’d managed. I’d survived. “I don’t need your help.”

“The hell you don’t.” His low voice vibrated through me.

He was right, and I’d admitted it to myself earlier. But hearing him talk to me like I was helpless just pissed me off. Made me want to fight.

“You need me, Sia,” he growled. “You wouldn’t survive an hour without my protection.

“That’s bullshit.” All the danger and tension of the day exploded inside me, frustration and rage adding fuel to my fire.

I surged to my feet, suddenly feeling better than I had all day. My injuries were forgotten, overtaken by my anger at his high-handed insults.

“I’m not going to tolerate this.” I had almost reached the door to my sleeping compartment when his hand wrapped around my arm, spinning me back around to face him.

I gasped, surprised to see him so close. He’d risen so silently that I hadn’t heard him, and now his face was only inches from mine.

“Damn it, Sia you’re too stubborn.” His gaze ran over me, blazing with desire that was unmistakable. “I just want to protect you.”

“And I want to be protected. I’m not an idiot who would turn down help.” I glared at him. “But I won’t tolerate being treated like a child.”

A low laugh rumbled through him, and his gaze riveted to my lips. “The last thing I think of you as is a child.”

He made my blood boil, and my body couldn’t tell if the heat was rage or passion. Currently, it was leaning more toward passion.

I sucked in a breath, my chest brushing against his. We stood so close that I could see the striations of sapphire in his pale blue eyes.

The sight riveted me, and his winter-forest scent nearly sent me into a stupor of lust. My heart thudded low, and heat pooled between my thighs. Time seemed to stop as we stared at each other, our breaths synchronizing.

My gaze dropped to his mouth, and the memory of his taste made my entire body tighten. Unable to help myself, I swayed toward him.

God, I wanted him.

So badly.

“Lore.” I reached up and brushed my fingers against his jaw. He shuddered, his eyelids fluttering closed as he drew in a deep breath.

“Sia.” His voice was rough with desire. “This is a terrible idea.”

Maybe it was, but in the middle of this train ride through hell, I wanted something good.

“I don’t care.” I stood on tiptoe and pressed my lips to his.

A low groan rose in his throat, an almost animal sound that made my heart race. He gripped my waist and pulled me toward him.

My chest pressed flush to his, and the heat of him seared me. He was all strength and tightly leashed power. It made my head swim.

“I want this,” I murmured, tracing my tongue over his lips.

“Fate help me, so do I.” He gripped my hips and hoisted me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist so that my center pressed flush to the hardness between his legs.