Page 63 of Caged By Dance and Desire

“I am Sworn,” was the inflectionless reply. “I serve.”

I nodded, “Very well,” and reached out for Anah the moment I felt the mist shrouding our bond clear enough for direct speech.

Hasannah?

I’m with Lord Ashlyun. I don’t seem to be a prisoner.

Her inner voice trembled with fear, but it wasn’t acute. She didn’t believe she was in immediate danger.

I’m coming for you.And this defiance wouldend.

I focused on the girl. She was well-trained and likely older than she seemed. I’d accept her consent to be my hostage.

“Come,” I said.

Ashlyun would know not to frighten Anah. There was no advantage in it, since I would destroy him completely.

But my relief over her relative safety hadn’t clouded my brain. If he’d known of her kidnapping fast enough to intervene directly, at haste, then it must be Coal District warriors who’d taken her.

His District was not in order.

If his answers were not to my satisfaction, if arterial blood was not immediately offered to bathe my feet, then the Sahakian-Casakraines would unsheathe their swords, and those blades would fall first on the neck of Coal District’s High Lord.

I was escorted without ceremony into Ashlyun’s presence.

There was protocol to follow, but I laid eyes on Anah and my control snapped. I lunged towards her, scooping her off the cushions and into my arms, my lip pulling over fangs.

Constin was there a second later, his hands digging into my shoulders.

“Lord Ashlyun,” Constin said, deep voice smoothed to a courtly cadence—since all I was capable of was snarling. “House Casakraine’s gratitude for this courtesy. The Lady is dear to us.”

“Clearly.” He waved a pale, slender hand. “No concern, the young often falter under trying circumstances.”

I breathed out, forcing the red haze over my vision to clear. Anah wasn’t moving, her head tucked against my shoulder.

“Lady,” I said.

“I’m fine,” she whispered. A tremble ran through her body.

Fine? They’d tortured?—

My anger ignited.Youshouldbe afraid,I hissed at her.Do you know what you did? If Ashlyun was not an ally you would be dead! If that’s what you want, I’ll drag you into the courtyard and let you fall on my sword! At least it will be clean!

I felt her chest rise abruptly, and the inner flinch of her mind.

Turning, I put her into Constin’s arms before I hurt her more. I’d never felt this kind of fear before. It challenged me.

Ashlyun’s eyes gleamed with faint amusement when I turned back to him. Almost, I snarled at him. How dare he laugh at me.

“Will you take tea?” he asked. “It’s restorative. I have a cup, or a pot, after a trying day myself.”

His mouth curled at the corner, and onAshlyunit was the equivalent of unrestrained laughter.

“Don’t you have anything stronger?”

“Hmm.” He inspected his teacup, a dark red ceramic, his fine long fingers caressing the side. “I find the Cassanians have little appreciation for a finely brewed cup of tea. Come, Heir. Observe the proprieties. It will help you calm yourself. I detest conversation with the hysterical.”

Ashlyun glanced at Anah, a peculiar softening in his expression. Had she enthralled himas well? Was she truly that strong? If so, I couldn’t entirely blame Mathen, who might have been under her influence since the beginning.

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