Page 128 of Taken By Shadows

Library meetings and comments of friendship. Even what he did for Kaed. I didn’t know him.

“No,” I said in as steady a voice as I could manage.

Breathe.

“Prove it.”

I did a bit of a double-take and blinked at him like he’d just asked what colour my undergarments were.

“Prove it?” I said, taking a step away from him.

He noticed the space I put between us. “I just mean you don’t seem happy.” He raised his hands like he was attempting to pacify an animal. “And I want you to prove you are.” He paused with a hint of a grin on his lips. “Kiss me.”

I actually wasn’t sure I’d even heard him correctly.

“Kiss me,” he said again, hands still raised.

My jaw worked, but my words didn’t; I didn’t have a response.

I should have had one.

I should have said no. Instantly.

“I’m … I can’t. I’m … Kaed. We’re engaged.” But the tremor in my voice betrayed my lie.

“You want to, though.” He took a step towards my space.

“No.”

I wasn’t sure whether that was truthful or another lie.

Why couldn’t I kiss Eryk? We weren’t breaking any real rules.

“Your betrothal will still stand if you kiss me. I don’t have to tell anyone.” He clasped his hands behind him in feigned detachment. “And, besides, nothing so small could mean the end of such a powerful romance.”

He was testing me. He was testing Kaed.

I just wasn’t sure if he was testing our story—were we more or less than we had said to everyone—or was he testing my character after he’d just spoken for Kaed in the council chambers?

A trickle of panic that skittered up my spine.

No wonder he didn’t want Kaed to pay the debt if this was what he was after.

“Is that what you want? From me?” The hum of my blood drowned my words in the quiet street.

Recognition flared in his eyes. “I’m glad we understand one another. I just want to know you a little more, Lady Imogen.”

I swallowed and hoped my lip wasn’t trembling.

This was his play. This was Eryk’s price. And I’d agreed to pay it before I’d known what it was.

Kaed had said I didn’t have to pay any price. Not for him.

I knew Kaed wouldn’t have left the air in Eryk’s lungs for breathing such a suggestion. He was protective, or possessive. However I wanted to see it.

But Kaed wasn’t here.

And that was for the best because I thought he would love any excuse to hit Eryk, even one so small as kissing his captive.