Page 29 of Path of the Dark
Ryana’s gaze narrowed. “And why’s that?”
“I wanted to commend you for your singing … that’s quite a voice you have.”
Ryana pursed her lips. Drawing her cloak tightly around her, despite the fact that the night was actually quite mild, she moved past him.
Elias fell into step with her, and they walked up the street together.
Ryana cut him an irritated glance. “What are you doing?”
“Accompanying you back to the House of Light and Darkness,” he replied smoothly. “It’s not safe for a woman to wander the city alone at night.”
Ryana huffed. “It is for me.”
“Really? What if a group of drunken men attacked you in one of these narrow streets?”
Ryana favored him with an arch look. “You think they’d dare attack an enchanter?”
“They might … if they’re deep enough into their cups.”
“I can walk home unescorted,” Ryana replied, injecting a frosty tone into her voice. “I don’t need your protection … thank you.”
But still he didn’t leave her side. Elias cut an imposing figure, clad in black leather, the orange lantern light highlighting the aristocratic lines of his face. Even dressed like this, without finery, you could see he was a prince.
“What are you doing outside the palace without an escort?” Ryana asked finally. They had left the narrow street behind. The pair now walked along a wider paved way that wound a curving path toward the gates that separated the upper and lower towns. “I don’t think the king would approve.”
Elias cast her a wicked smile that made Ryana’s breathing quicken. “He wouldn’t … but I’m used to having my freedom.”
“You didn’t stay long atThe Black Boar?”
“I’d prefer to drink where no one knows who I am.”
Despite that she knew she shouldn’t, Ryana glanced once more at Elias. She drank in his haughty profile. “Word is that negotiations are going well,” she said carefully. “Was I wrong about you?”
He gave a soft laugh. Once again, Ryana felt her body’s swift reaction to him; this time it was a fluttering of excitement low in her belly. That laugh was full of sensual promise, full of danger. “I don’t know,” he replied. “I forget what opinion you had of me.”
Liar.He would remember their conversations at the ball and in the courtyard garden—she certainly hadn’t forgotten them.
Swallowing, Ryana fixed her attention to the outline of the iron gates looming before them. They passed through into the upper town and crossed the wide stretch of cobbles beyond, before beginning the steep climb up The King’s Way.
And with each step, Ryana’s awareness of the Prince of Anthor grew. Shadows take him, the man’s presence turned her witless. She hadn’t been this affected by a man since Gael.
The comparison drew her up sharply.
Gael, of course, had been bad news. Was this her curse? Would only dangerous men ever excite her?
Loneliness swept over Ryana in a cold tide, making her chest ache. She’d gotten used to going through life alone, had even made a success of it, but at that moment, as she walked next to a man she shouldn’t want but did, she wished her path had been different.
She wished she could have more faith in her own instincts, but they’d only ever gotten her into trouble.
Halfway up the hill, she stopped and turned to face Elias.
She knew how to warn him off, how to ensure he never wanted anything to do with her again. This wasn’t the right time or place to tell him, for they were alone. If he tried to attack her, she would have to fend him off without assistance.
However, she had to do this. It seemed important that he know who she really was.
When Elias halted, swiveling to her in surprise, she took a cautious step back and spread the fingers of her right hand surreptitiously behind her. It was best to be cautious.
“There’s something you should know,” she began, meeting his shadowed gaze. They stood alone on the wide street, the illuminated walls of townhouses surrounding them. “About your brother.”
