Page 35 of A Shattered Kingdom of Steel

My expression softens. I turn my face to look back at him.

He thought of my feelings?

Warmth gathers in my stomach. Somehow, it makes my chest feel light, as if I’m near weightless.

He continues, crystalline stare finding mine, “But make no mistake, should you ever need my help, all you have to do is say the word.”

I tear my eyes from his, my gaze falling to my lap. “What if…” I know I’m treading into dangerous territory, where my weaknesses are vulnerable to attack, but I can’t seem to stop myself. “What if I don’t know how to ask for it?”

One of his hands releases the reins, and his thumb and forefinger find my chin. His touch is gentle, and soft, and I can’t help but want more of it now that I’ve had this small taste.

He tilts my face to his, his fingers on my chin ever so slight. “Even if you don’t know how to ask, you will have my help all the same.” A pause. “Always.”

I search his diamond irises for any hint of deception or insincerity.

But I find none.

If anything, his eyes seem to shine with conviction, like none I’ve seen before.

My mouth parts, but I don’t know what to say, so I nod and tell him the only thing that I can. “Thank you.”

“I’ve done nothing,” he replies quietly.

“I think you have.” More than he knows.

Now it’s his turn to nod, his lips pressed together as if he’s unsure of how to conduct himself. His hand falls from my chin to grip the reins once more. I correct my posture, adjusting my head and torso so my shoulders face forward.

Fatigue settles into my bones, the heaviness of it drowning any thoughts I might have. I don’t know how much longer we ride before my consciousness slips away from me entirely.

My eyes flutter open, and then close again. I stir, only partially aware I’m leaning against Asheros, who supports the full brunt of my weight. Though I’m in a murky state between sleep and wakefulness, I must grumble about it because his arms tighten around me to still my movements.

“Rest, Lymseia,” I hear him say.

Though they remain closed, I try to open my eyes.

His voice brushes my ear, tender, like a caress. “No harm will come to you so long as I’m here.”

Chapter Ten

Something jostles me awake.

My eyes flash open and I lurch forward, nearly losing my balance. The arm across my stomach stops me from falling.

“Morning,” a smooth, airy voice says. Asheros. “I trust you enjoyed your beauty sleep?”

“Gods-damn it,” I mutter under my breath.

I fell asleep.

On my enemy, no less.

And this whole time, for however long I’ve been unconscious, he’s been holding me close. He could have done whatever he wanted to me, and I would have been too slow to react.

Ceren’s voice rings through my mind in admonishment.

“Always be on your guard. Never trust your enemy.”

I can’t keep doing this. I can’t keep letting Asheros and that grin of his slip through the cracks in my shield, dismantling my defenses. He’s my kidnapper, the one responsible for the deaths of good, honorable members of the Guard.

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