“Aren’t you worried someone will attack you while you’re in this state? Could you even defend either of us like this?” It’s a lousy excuse when we’re in an estate swarming with trained fighters.
“I told you, the drinking keeps the worst of it away.”
“The worst ofwhat?” I ask.
“You’ll see. When your magic comes in, I suspect you’ll soon be like me. It’s consuming. In some ways, I envy Brevan’s bound magic. How he doesn’t have the full use of it. How there’s parts of it he can’t even reach.”
I set my fork down and speak gently, “What does your magic do, Caiden?”
“I really, really hope you never find out.” He picks up the bottle, then stands, knocking his chair to the ground. “You should go.”
“What?” I tense, surprised by the sudden turn.
He walks around the table until he’s right next to me, then leans down so his face is inches from mine. “Leave. Before I do something we’ll both regret.”
I push back my chair, then stand quickly. He walks away from the table, then runs a hand through his hair with a sigh. “Don’t leave the estate for the next few days. I’ll be away and it’s too hard to keep you safe beyond the walls.”
“Where are you going?” I ask.
“To make sure your friend is still alive.”
My insides twist and my pulse jumps. “Why wouldn’t she be?”
“Because I locked her up with a murderer.”
He was serious about all those comments about Brevan’s sister? I storm over to him, then shove him. “What is wrong with you? You told me you’d keep her safe.”
He grabs my wrists, then quickly shifts them until he’s holding me captive with just one hand. I yank my arms but his grip is too tight. “Let me go.”
“You are not what I expected. I should have killed you instead of marrying you, you know that?” He grabs my chin with his free hand, holding my face still. “But gods, Taylan, there’s something about you.”
“Don’t do that,” I warn.
“Do what?” His eyes glitter. He’s enjoying this.
“Don’t use my real name.”
“I told you. I know you. I know who you are and what you truly want. I’m probably the only one who does.”
When his lips crash into mine, I kiss him back. It’s brutal and claiming. Nothing like the way I kiss anyone else. His fingers weave into my hair and then his arms are around me, pulling me against him. I reach for him, gripping his shoulders for balance as he intensifies the kiss. His tongue slides along the seam of my mouth, testing, begging. My lips part and he licks my lower lip before biting it just hard enough to send a rush of pain.
Our tongues clash and it’s like we’re both fighting for dominance. He tastes like wine and salt and I can’t make myself pull away from him. I want this, even when I know I shouldn’t. My arms are over his shoulders, my fingers tangling into his hair.
His hands slide down my backside, around to my hips, then up until he reaches my breasts. I arch when he caresses them, my body responding as if starved for touch. Gods, I missed thefeel of someone else’s hands on me. The press of someone’s lips against mine.
But this isn’t the person I want to do this with.
I pull away abruptly. “I have to go.”
He doesn’t say a word as I make my way to the door. What is wrong with me? Caiden isn’t who I want. He’s never been who I want. Him kissing me makes sense. Especially as drunk as he is. I have no excuse. Something is wrong with me. I have no excuse for kissing him back.
When I step into the hall, I close the door behind me. Brevan is waiting for me. “Do you need me to escort you to your room?”
“I kissed Caiden,” I blurt.
Brevan’s silent for a moment, then he begins walking. I hurry to catch up to him.
“Aren’t you going to say something?”
