Page 123 of Enchanted Kisses
I pushed up to my feet and noticed the property had emptied. Only the sentries fighting one another remained.
I didn’t know where to go.
White light burst before me, and Raysa appeared. Her staff hit the ground with a loud crack and her voice commanded silence. She lifted her arms to the king and his warriors. Pulsing silver light formed around each of them, freezing them in place.
“You have broken one of the prime rules between our realms and on a night of celebration. Why?” Raysa spoke in a low, stern voice.
“Release me and we will speak, as I am not here to challenge you. You know I lack the power in your realm.”
Without as much as a waver in her stance or voice, Raysa said, “Yet, you crash my coronation as the unwelcome guest you are and at night. How convenient. If you wish to have a discussion with me, we will do so in the Truce Realm, abiding by the rules of armistice. Unless your intentions are not as you state.”
“Forgive me, Raysa. I did not expect you, as a new queen, to be informed of the elder laws.” The king bowed.
I found it hard to take my eyes from him. Even though his looks were very much like Caiden’s, his mannerisms seemed more like Dagan’s.
“Expected or hoped?” Raysa’s tone rang strong.
The misty glow around the king disappeared. He strolled over to Raysa, emanating pride and power with each step. I no longer questioned what the former Queen of Life saw in the King of Death. He reminded me of a forbidden piece of fruit—no, a forbidden orchard, ripe with confidence, raw emotion, and sensuality. The deadly combination made me think of the Caiden I had never known but was getting a glimpse of now. Were he and his father more alike than I had thought?
“Send your guards on their way and leave for the realm now,” Raysa ordered. “Laken will escort you. I will meet you there after I am certain this location is not breached any further. Agreed?”
A cold hand took mine and pulled me through the French doors. I knew the touch before I saw who had grabbed me.
Dagan put his finger to my lips. “Shh, I’m not here to take you. I want to help.”
I didn’t resist him until we’d rounded a corner and moved down a long, dark hallway.
I tried pulling my hand from his grasp. “Stop!”
His fingers clamped harder around my wrist.
“I don’t trust you,” I said. “For all I know, you’re here with your father.”
“Of course I’m here with him. I couldn’t have entered without him.”
“How is that even possible? I thought Death Sentries couldn’t enter the Realm of Life without permission.” I jerked my hand away, trying harder to free it. It didn’t work.
Dagan loosened his fingers but didn’t let go. “If I release you and you run off, I will catch you and not let go. Understand?” He lowered his chin.
I only knew because the silver sheen of his skin glowed softly, making his face, neck, and hands visible in the dark. It must have slipped his mind that, unlike Caiden and him, I didn’t have night vision. If I tried to run off, I’d probably hit a wall and knock myself out.
I gave a slight nod.
“Good,” he said. “Bianca left an open channel. That’s how we were able to come here. What I can’t figure out is if she did it on purpose or by mistake.”
“And your father’sgrandentrance? The fighting? The charging? What was that all about?”
“It’s more for show than anything. Fear reinforces his dark reputation. It’s important to him.”
“So, he’s here for Caiden and me? To what? Finish us off? Or are you here to do that?”
Footsteps sounded.
I glanced over my shoulder but saw only darkness.
“Follow me.” Dagan led me to a room farther down the hallway and flicked on a light. We stood in a study that had a museum quality about it. Stacked books with worn binders and artifacts of all shapes and sizes rested on mahogany shelves. Framed maps decorated the walls, and a picture of Alliston rested next to a Tiffany lamp on a natural wood desk.
Dagan closed the door and stepped close to me. “It’s true,” he whispered. “I had Caiden sent to the dungeons. But I never ordered his torture. I wouldn’t have, Lily. We might have our differences, but he’s still my little brother.”
