A Kiss of Shadow (Court of Starlight and Darkness #2)(39)

“I can ask around for more information,” she said. “I have some colleagues who might know more. It could take time, though.”

“We don’t have time.”

“I can’t offer any better.”

I nodded. “Then thank you for your help. If you learn of something, please let me know.”

“I will.”

I turned to leave, but she gripped my arm, stalling me. I turned to look at her. “What is it?”

“Your queen. Protect her.”

“Of course.”

“She’s more than just a pawn in all this. More than just a chess piece to be played.”

I frowned. “I’m aware.”

She shook her head. “Your history is long, King Lore. And cold. She is the fire that could warm you before you freeze straight through.”

“I dislike the heat.” I turned, pulling my arm from her grasp, and walking away.

Dain caught up with me. I could feel the interest coming off him and raised a hand. “Not another word.”

“Your royal command shit does not work on me.”

I gave a low grunt.

“She’s right,” Dain said. “You’re going to freeze into a solid block one of these days. No person can be alone for as long as you have and still survive. If there’s something special with Sia, you need to grasp it before you lose it.”

I glared at him. “Too many people have been telling me that. I’m not interested.”

“Of course you are. You seem more alive than I’ve ever seen you.”

“I don’t need to feel alive. I need to protect my people.” I pointed to the heavy clouds overhead. “The threat is here, Dain.”

He looked up at the heavy clouds. “I know. But you do protect your people. You just don’t need to do it alone.”

I clapped him on the back. “That’s what I have you for.”

“But you—“

Fortunately, we’d reached the castle steps. I took them two at a time, leaving him behind. I liked Dain. He was a good man. But he talked too much.

Not for the first time, I wished the Wolf were here. The creature didn’t tolerate train travel, but it would be good to have his company. Something to focus on besides my obsession with Sia.

When I entered our sleeping chamber, I caught sight of her immediately. She stood in front of the window, silhouetted by the dark clouds. Her red hair was piled on her head, and a golden dress flowed over her curves, the back unzipped to reveal a long column of smooth skin.

My fingertips itched to touch her. My mouth watered to taste.

She turned to look at me, her emerald eyes piercing me through my soul. I drew in a ragged breath, averting my gaze.

“Will you help me with this zipper?” Frustration sounded in her voice. “I’m about to tear this damned thing off and throw it in the fire.”

“I— ah. Don’t do that.” I strode to her, keeping my gaze at the hem of her dress so I didn’t have to look at her bare skin or trod on her gown.

“Thank you.” She released the fastening she’d been yanking on.

I forced my gaze up to the zipper, biting back a curse when I saw that it had caught on the fabric at the very base of her spine. Just an inch more and I’d see enough to put me on my knees.

“It’s stuck.” My voice sounded like it scraped over gravel.

I gripped the tiny metal tab, doing my best not to touch the smooth skin that beckoned. The damned thing was stubborn, and it took a few minutes to pull it free of the fabric.

Finally, I managed to slide it up the row of teeth, concealing her back all the way up to the base of her neck.

For the first time in ages, her hair was pulled up to reveal the slender column. She always wore it down—to conceal her ears, no doubt—and the sight of it made my heart race.

It took everything I had not to press my lips to her pale skin. I wanted to sink my teeth into her, just hard enough to make her moan.

I clenched my jaws and turned away, stalking toward the sideboard that held a collection of glass liquor decanters. I chose one at random, pouring a measure of liquid it into a crystal glass.

“Did you find anything?” Sia asked, her gaze burning into me.

I downed the liquor in one gulp and turned to her.

Damn it.

Shouldn’t have done that.

The front view was even more spectacular than the back. She’d taken down her red curls, which now feathered around her face like flame. The gold dress rose all the way to her collarbone, but it was so tight that I could see every inch of her curves. Hundreds of tiny gems sparkled, and she looked like a beam of sunlight.

“Lore? Did you find anything?”

I cleared my throat and set the glass down. “Not much.”

I updated her on the Order of the Northern Sword, and she frowned. “We have no way to contact them?”

“Not yet, but we’re working on it.” I strode to the wardrobe to collect my clothing for dinner. “What did you find?”

“I think the Irish fae aren’t in on it.” She told me about the king’s mind tricks, which I’d heard of but had never experienced. I didn’t know if he was telling the truth, but I could speak to him myself and see if I got a different answer.

I went into the bathroom to dress, then met her by the door.