All of a sudden, he stops, his back rigid. I follow his line of sight and find the Praetorian standing on the landing between the dual staircases. He’s watching us with sharp eyes.
“I see I’ve missed the end of supper.” His stance is stiff, his tone clipped as he looks from Julian to me.
“Was everything all right?” I ask.
He tilts his head, a crease appearing on his brow.
“When you were summoned away?” I add.
“Oh, yes. It was just a report on the road conditions as the snow continues.”
He’s lying…again.
“I see I’m interrupting,” he continues, looking pointedly at my right hand wrapped around Julian’s arm.
“I was just escorting the High Priestess back to her room, but now that you’re here, you can do the honors.” Julian pulls away, but I try to hold on to his arm until he takes another step farther. I drop my hand. The Praetorian continues to stare.
The tension is so thick, it’s suffocating, but this obviously has far more to do with them than me. It probably involves the reason for them not speaking earlier.
“No, I appear to be the one interrupting,” I say. “Julian wanted to find you, and he has. I will see you both tomorrow, as I require no escort.”
“Have a restful sleep, High Priestess,” Julian says with a short bow.
Torren’s jaw moves, but he says nothing. I see there will be no traditional pleasantries between us, not that there have ever been. I should accept that and walk away.
“A pleasant rest to you, Praetorian,” I say.
So much for walking away. Why can’t I just leave him alone? I grip my skirts tightly in my left hand.
“Bar your door, High Priestess,” he says.
His words send chills down my spine. He is serious in his warning, and his tone makes me want to scream and flee, but instead, I smile.
“I’ve heard that doesn’t work to keep everyone out.”
I meet his eyes and then turn.
I take the stairs, hoping to swallow my own tongue.
XX.
Torren
I can’t help but watch Kerasea continue up to the next floor. The gray of her dress brings out her eyes and lips… I have to stop. Yes, she’s beautiful, but there are plenty of beautiful women in Pryor—ones not framed in two murders. Yet there’s something in Kera’s spirit, a fire I hadn’t expected.
“I was just giving her an excuse to leave the dinner,” Julian says. His face is full of innocence. I would believe him if he didn’t fall for every woman he sees.
I raise an eyebrow. “I’m sure it was a painful chore for you.”
“I stand corrected,” Julian says. “You’ve mastered the art of charming conversation.”
Son of a jackal. I should throttle him, but I have more important matters to deal with. He is still my most trusted friend and a brother-in-arms. And I think I’ve potentially discovered the killer.
“When you instructed the sentries to move the body, which ones did you talk to?” I speak in a low tone because the walls have ears in the palace.
“All of them,” Julian says. “Why?” His eyes dart around, and then he draws a breath. “Do I even want to know where you just were?”
I shrug. “Probably not.”
