Page 105 of Nocturn

I hummed, bobbing my head. The silence told me he had already caught me. With one pace forward from him, I lifted my head. Egan gawped, and suddenly, in a rush of movement, he grabbed me by the elbows, pulling me closer.

“You are up,” he breathed, eyes scanning me. Moonlight fell across the side of his face, casting the other half into shadows. He narrowed his eyes. “You must return to your chamber,” he ordered.

He released one elbow and began to tow me in the opposite direction.

“Egan,” I muttered, yanking and tugging.

Nothing was working. He reached the door, but right before he opened the one leading to the connected passageway, I yanked my arm down so hard he finally had to release me or he would have wrenched my shoulder.

“Please, I must see him.”

“He almost killed you,” he hissed, anger flashing across his face. Showing me the most raw emotion I had seen from him.

“Please, Egan, take me to him.”

“I do not think it is best.”

“Please.” I clasped the lapels of his Guard uniform. “I must. It could mean my life.”

His throat bobbed. I was using his . . . kindness toward me against him, and I knew that, but there was no room for guilt in the face of my desperation. Not when he had to know I planned something. Egan was not ignorant, he must know my behavior was odd.

His hand cupped the bottom of my jaw, and I stayed perfectly still, pleading with my eyes. My lips quivered, but I managed to keep tears at bay. His care for me was unmistakable.

“Fine,” he exhaled, so close that his breath touched my lips. A flush reddened the bridge of his nose as he stared at my mouth.

Right as I feared he would bend to press his lips to mine, he straightened abruptly and turned on his heels.

He remained quiet as he helped me onto the awaiting carriage and shut the door. A driver had not been present, and the shaking of the carriage told me that Egan would drive the carriage.

Such a secretive, illicit event.

This was how women were summoned for His Highness. I gritted my teeth and gripped the edge of the cushioned seat.

I had plenty of experience stamping down what I truly felt. This was a moment unlike any other where I had to set aside my frustration and anger.

Part of me wanted to toss accusations at him . . . but he was also a victim of this system that had been set up for the betterment of bluebloods.

Losing my temper would be a hindrance. I had plenty of experience in keeping my composure. Releasing a stream of air did nothing to abate the tension drawing my shoulders toward my ears.

Cassiel had to believe me, but how would I approach him? He was volatile at best, hateful toward redbloods at most.

What would I say to him first? There had to be something he would stop and listen to.

The carriage jostled from side to side and slowed.

It had not taken long to reach the Citadel. Egan opened the carriage and helped me down. He squeezed my hand once before releasing me. I padded across the polished floor and ascended. The first landing turned into the second and so on until I strode toward the entrance of his chamber.

I stepped inside, my gaze swallowing the place, and I could not help but slow when I saw him propped against the pillows with one leg hanging off the bed, his arms crossed as he leaned back.

“Come, feeder,” he droned, his eyes remaining closed.

His face was terribly striking and devastatingly beautiful. My gaze fell to his harsh hands. My body moved before my mind caught up, and I angled to the side to keep the exit within view.

I drank him in with his silk robe on as I released a slow breath, forcing myself to stride to him. Despite the robe being tied at the front, I had no doubt he was nude beneath it. Another wave of anger swelled, but I had to stamp it down. He inhaled, nostrils flaring, eyes still shut, and the line of his body became impossibly stiff.

“You do not belong in my chamber.” His tone vibrated over my skin.

“Why have you not allowed me to see you?” I frowned and shuffled closer to Lord Draven—Cassiel. He’d become Cassiel to me since our return from Lifton Village.