“Seeking the low hanging fruit, are we? Hoping for a reaction? You have the confidence of a much taller man.” He quirked a brow before a laugh burst out of him. The genuineness of his amusement transformed his face. I almost got a glimpse of the man beneath the bravado. To be fair, he was absurdly tall, but I’d hoped to knock him down a peg. His thumb traced circles at my hip, my body all too aware of his hands on me. He was relentless.
I pressed myself against him, restraining the urge to shut my eyes and justfeel. “I didn’t come out to discuss potentialduplicity. Tell me, General, how does the Crimson Wolf divert our Berine shipments?”
One of his hands snaked from my waist around to my lower back, the other crept behind my head, tilting it upward. His fingers slid along my scalp, tugging at my hair. He leaned down, aligning his face toward my own. I held my breath, nearly forgetting my question.
I waited to see if those lips felt as warm and soft as they appeared. Would he crush me with them? I wouldn’t mind if he did. My entire body hovered in reckless anticipation.
He tantalizingly grazed my mouth, teasing me with cruel lips. “The Crimson Wolf is a myth.” He straightened up, releasing me from his thrall.
The loss of his touch almost made me whimper. Almost. Ruin, the spy, observed his every minute movement.
He hadn’t been truthful.
I licked my lips, disappointed in more ways than one. I knew the Crimson Wolf was part of his rebellion. If he didn’t want to acknowledge him, I’d try a different route. “Then why areyouinterfering with our Berine? You’re harming innocent citizens of Haluma, General.”
His gaze lingered on my lips. “Keep digging, Ruin of the Scourge. I have no doubt they trained you well. I’m just not sure they’re pointing you in the right direction. And you can call me Judd.” He had the audacity to wink at me.
I pushed him away at that. I’d had enough of his insinuations against the Good King. I cringed inwardly. I had just flirted with the general. Therebel general.
Resolve for my loyalty to King Nolan surged within me. Judd was right. I had been trained thoroughly in espionage. And I would use that skill to uncover what the rebellion was up to.
Somehow, I had blocked out the crowd around us. All my awareness had focused on him. The spell between us broke. Thefloating orbs pulsed brighter, and the mass of people flooded my senses.
A tray of waters lay nearby. I grabbed one and downed its contents in an effort to clear my head. I gripped the empty glass as my eyes locked with Judd, momentarily arrested. An indolent smirk spread across his bold features.
Something about him nagged at me. Besides Nolan, there was only one person in all the realms I knew of who had shadows. But he said his name was Judd. A hope I hadn’t foreseen fell dashed before I could acknowledge it. I shouldn’t have been disappointed.
I couldn’t break my stare.
He leaned closer, his breath ghosting my cheeks. “Go ahead and look your fill, but trust me, anything more will only end in heartbreak.” Shadows pulsed around his shoulders. I peered closer, searching beyond his arrogant warning. His eyes glowed as his pupils widened. He scanned my face with a mixture of desire and… anger?
His muscular arms dropped to his side as he studied me like a rare gemstone. He took a step closer, and though it was wrong, I welcomed it.
A sharp laugh from nearby punctured the moment, deflating it. I sat the glass down. The movement caught Judd’s attention and he stared at the glass, his body stilling. I vaguely noted alarm filling his features. I wasn’t going to get much more out of him. I increasingly felt the waters of our conversation rising, becoming more dangerous as we continued. Perhaps I should shut this down before I allowed something traitorous to happen. His allure would sweep me out like a riptide. I had to end this.
I searched for Delah.
Where was the woman in the lime-green dress?
Finally, I spotted her. Her mysterious companion stood an inch from her face. One hand rested on her backside and theother gently stroked her arm. I watched as she blinked coyly. He leaned forward and they began kissing—no, devouring each other.
I walked over, swerving through the crowds. “I’m heading out, Delah.”
She shifted toward me, breaking her lip-locked connection, a dazed look on her face. “Already?”
“You aren’t leaving now, are you?” Delah’s partner asked her, his face showing a hint of amusement. He stood as tall and muscular as Judd, though blond where Judd was dark and stormy.
Judd appeared at my side. “You good, Finn?” His blonde friend nodded as he subtly pulled Delah closer to himself.
A wave of dizziness swept over me as I shifted on my feet. “I’m sorry, Delah. I’ll meet you at home. You have fun.” I paused, forcing a smile, “But not too much.”
“I should come with you—” she started.
“No.” I cut her off, taking hold of her hand. “Your friend Jazmina is around here somewhere and you two can look out for each other. I’ll be happy knowing you’re having a good time.” I discreetly pointed out the security I had scoped out when we first entered the festival. “You know I’ll just hover anyway.” She squeezed my hand before letting it go.
Delah lingered a moment, while her companion, Finn, stood awkwardly behind her.
“I’ll be a couple of hours at most.”
