Page 151

“Why? Do you suddenly find me repulsive?”

She laughed and put a hand to her chest, drawing his gaze to her collarbones, then her cleavage. “Oh, Thane. I know you are not naive when it comes to ladies. You know exactly why I won’t, and it has absolutely nothing to do with you beingrepulsive.”

“I can control myself, if that’s what you’re worried about. I’ll have a second bed brought in. Easy.” He tapped his chin. “And we can put up a curtain, so you have privacy.”

The strap of her dress fell from her shoulder, drooping the fabric and exposing the swell of her breast. He quickly lifted it back into place and let his fingers linger too long on her soft skin.

Her eyes fell to his hand sliding down her arm and the corners of her plump lips curled upward. “Well, I am glad it would be so easy for you to resist me, but no.”

His fingers dug into his thigh. “I didn’t mean it like that. I think it might be the hardest thing I’ll ever do but I’ll respect your wishes.”

Evalyn set the wine in front of Katana with a raised eyebrow. She no doubt heard every word, even if they spoke quietly.

“Thank you so much, Evalyn.” She took a sip and leaned in like she was going to tell her a secret. “Oh, it’s as delicious as it looked. I do not think I’ve told you yet, but you have the most beautiful brown eyes. It was one of the first things I noticed about you. And Valeen told me all about you of course. I absolutely loved that you raised her in a cottage with a round door and taught her how to gamble.”

Evalyn smiled. “Well, I probably shouldn’t have taught her the gambling so young, but I did what I could with what I had.”

“It’s truly selfless to take on someone else’s child without complaint.”

“I’d do it again, if I had to.”

Katana grinned and put her hand over Evalyn’s. “I know. You have a splendid aura.”

“A what?”

“I call it the color of your soul. Yours is mostly orange. It’s the rarest. You like freedom and independence but are also selfless when it comes to helping others. You are a good multitasker and are not afraid to speak your mind.”

“True,” Thane added. “Especially the last part.”

Evalyn laughed. “I don’t know how you did that, but I’ll just accept it. Can I get you anything, Thane?”

“No, but thank you. I’ve had more than enough for one night.”

“Maybe you have, but I haven’t. Not when Layala has married the Black Mage and I have to simply sit back and accept it.”

“He’s not as bad as you think he is.”

“I can’t believe you’re standing up for him.”

“It’s complicated.”

“So I see.” Evalyn moved down the bar and started washing dishes in the sink.

Katana took a long drink of wine then turned back to him. “You know, those aren’t onlymywishes. You were the one who said, ‘only once’, then seduced me the second time.”

His mouth dropped and his cheeks warmed. “Seduced you? Did you not want to?”

“No, I did. That is the problem, isn’t it? Because I warned you my feelings would get involved.” She pressed her palm over her heart and her eyes softened. “But truth be told, my feelings were involved before the first time. I am drawn to you far more than I should be. I shouldn’t have come to you that night. It was a mistake.” She took another gulp of wine like the confession pained her.

His heart was about to beat out of his chest. “A mistake?” That one bloody hurt. Felt like a damn knife to the chest. This—no strings attached—whatever it was, was all muddy now. He didn’t sleep with his “friends”. He didn’t feel like he couldn’t breathe without his “friends”. If he didn’t do something he was going to lose her, but he was terrified of what could happen to his fragile heart. Deep down he knew she already had the power to crush it. “You think I was a mistake?”

She cupped the side of his face and leaned closer. “I did not say that to hurt you. I’m sorry. You said not to involve our hearts, and I broke that on my end, but you’ve held up yours. So, it’s done now.” She dropped her hand and smiled sorrowfully at him. “I won’t live in Valeen’s shadow, Thane.” She picked up her glass and walked over to sit beside Leif.

Shit, shit, shit.A storm of emotions ripped through him. He shoved his fingers into his hair, messing up the careful braids and tried to calm his erratic breathing.

Evalyn was suddenly there again and pushed a shot glass of amber in front of him. “I think you do need this after all, High King.”

He downed it and pushed it back. “Thanks.”