Page 31 of Shadows of Fate

Was Micah correct in his assumptions? There was a possibility, of course. But I wasn’t ready to sign off on that path of logic just yet. Something in my gut was telling me that wasn’t what was happening here. I couldn’t ignore that.

I couldn’t ignore her—as much as the logical part of my brain urged me to slow down, I couldn’t. It felt like Evika herself were here, pushing me to embrace this path of life. So I would—no matter what it cost me.

* * *

Icould feel the sun was close to rising, and it was taking quite a bit of my willpower not to rush back to Silvana’s and drag her to the manor myself.

I was about to do just that, but then Bastian was at my door. He took a step backward, a momentary look of stun on his face.

Clearing his throat, he nodded at me. “Hello, My Lord, you asked for us to let you know when your guest arrived. I just showed her to her chambers if you’d like to visit with her.”

Letting out a breath of relief, I smiled to myself. “Thank you, Bastian. Which room has she been assigned?”

A small bit of red peeked onto his cheeks as he looked down toward the floor and then he glanced toward the door next door to mine.

“She’s next to me?” I asked quietly.

“That’s where Micah told me to take her, My Lord,” Bastian said.

With my hands on my hips, I stared at the ceiling for a moment. “Of course he did. Thank you again, Bastian.”

He nodded and walked away.

Gathering my thoughts, I walked next door to my room. Knocking quickly on Silvana’s door, before I could talk myself out of this, I stood and waited. I wasn’t sure exactly what my plan of action here was, but I knew the sun was rising soon, and she may want to rest. I had time—I just needed an excuse that wasn’t ‘Hey, welcome to the neighborhood’.

The door swung open, and it took everything in my power not to barge through and pin her to the wall. I’d bet money that her blood tasted just as sweet as she smelled; the raspberries and honey scent hitting my nose—a total contrast to her attitude.

What the fuck was wrong with me?

Gritting my teeth, I reminded myself I was here to talk to her—not drink her Fates-damned blood. At least not yet. She was looking at me expectantly, clearly waiting for me to speak. But I didn’t have anything—especially now that I’d had a moment to look her over.

She was dressed to kill; of that, I had little doubt.

She was back in her chunky black boots—where no doubt two of her daggers were housed. But instead of the small scrap of fabric she called a dress from earlier, she was in skintight black tights and a black lace corset. It was strapless with small silver clasps that ran up from her navel and ended at the low-cut V between her breasts. The entirety of it was covered in black lace and perfectly sculpted around the curves of her waist and sternum.

I cleared my throat before meeting her eyes. “Do you have daggers buried in this one too?”

“Is there something you need, Raiden? Or did you just stop by to analyze my outfit choices?” Her tone was sharp, but not even she could hide the faint blush gracing her pale cheeks. I suddenly wondered if her entire body blushed when she did, or if it was just her face.

My eyes almost darted below to check, but I did value my life at times.

“Mmm, yes, actually. May I come in?”

I could tell she wanted to tell me no, but she stepped aside anyway. It was, after all, my home, and while I’d never pull that card, I knew she was thinking about it.

I looked around the room quickly. It wasn’t just any room in the manor, it was meant to be my wife’s room, so it was the twin to mine. The large bed was set against the wall opposite the fireplace. Bookshelves filled with an array of novels wrapped around the hearth. The far wall had four matching windows where two chairs sat to overlook the city. The room itself had dark emerald-green walls with silver and black accents throughout, including the black silk bedding.

There was a wardrobe in the far corner and a second doorway that led into the bathroom. I wondered if she’d looked inside of it yet. I noticed she had her bag still sitting at the foot of the bed. One of her daggers was currently on the table in the seating area with a whetstone next to it. No doubt she’d been sharpening and cleaning them before she got ready to rest.

I looked back over my shoulder and realized, assuming I was correct about the two in her boots already, that the fourth weapon was in her right hand, tapping the flat side against her thigh as she stared up at me. She seemed antsy at my presence. That shouldn’t make me as content as it did, but I’d examine that mindset at a later time when I was alone.

“I’ll ask again, maybe getting lucky this time, what do you want, Raiden?” I wasn’t sure if she was uncomfortable or just impatient, but getting under her skin truly was making me happier than it should be.

I searched for a reason, aside from my obsession, to explain my presence. Choosing to sit on one of the chairs where she was previously sharpening her daggers, I leaned back and folded my arms across my chest. “I just wanted to check in and make sure the room was up to your standards.”

Her eyes narrowed and she slowly nodded her head, still standing across the room from me—as if the distance was necessary for her too. Or maybe she just didn’t trust me. “The room is fine, although I’m curious what the door through the bathroom leads to.” Her eyes narrowed as if she already had an idea.

“Honestly?” I asked.

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