Page 58 of Midnight Shadow

The Midnight Shadow hung over them like a thick black cloud. She studied his face, his strong chin, his thinned and angry lips. But there was something gentle in his eyes. Most men would beat her for her disobedience, but Terran hadn’t raised a finger against her. She had to grant him that much. He made her feel things she’d never experienced. She wanted to be with him. She wanted him to kiss and touch her. She wanted him to... fulfill her.

Bria shook her head, looking away sadly. It would never happen if she didn’t reveal herself to Terran. “The Midnight Shadow is not my lover,” she said.

Terran sat beside her. “All right,” he said softly. His arm brushed hers, causing shivers to race up her skin to her shoulder. As if beckoned, she lifted her gaze to his.

He was staring at her, his dark eyes scrutinizing every aspect of her features. The sweep of his gaze was like a caress. Fire radiated from his eyes, warming her, reassuring her. And then he lowered his head to hers.

Bria closed her eyes, waiting for the kiss, anticipating the feel of his lips against hers. His hot breath fanned her lips. “Then tell me,” he urged, “who is the Midnight Shadow?”

Her body tingled with the remembered caress of his kiss. She opened her mouth to tell him something, anything so he’d kiss her.

His lips touched hers, demanding, coaxing.

“Tell me,” he whispered against her lips.

Bria wanted to tell him, but she’d tried before and he wouldn’t listen to her. Would he now? Would he listen to how Kenric killed Mary? Would he listen to how he was mistreating his people? Would he change so she wouldn’t have to become the Midnight Shadow? Tears rose in her eyes. She wanted to tell him. She wanted to give him everything he wanted.

His hot kisses moved over her chin, down her neck.

Her throat worked. “I can’t.”

He pulled back so fast cold engulfed her and she trembled. “You side with him,” Terran growled. “You side with your lover against me!”

Bria saw the fury in his eyes, the stark, vivid anger seething inside him. “No, Terran,” she pleaded, tears blurring her vision. “He isn’t your enemy. He takes the tax money and returns it to your people.”

Terran ground his teeth. “How do you know this?”

“Someone has to help them, since you won’t!”

“I asked how you know this,” Terran repeated.

Bria swallowed hard, but closed her mouth, refusing to answer him. She couldn’t tell him. And it was tearing her apart.

He grabbed her arm and agony flared up from her healing wound. “Tell me,” he snarled.

“I can’t,” Bria replied. “I won’t. What he’s doing is good.”

“He’s stealing from me!”

“If you wouldn’t overtax your people, he wouldn’t have to!”

“I won’t permit it!”

Bria stared into Terran’s eyes just as determinedly as he gazed into her own. Stubborn resolve warred on both sides. Suddenly he moved, dragging her across the bed, through the soft velvet covers. She almost tumbled, but Terran yanked her to her feet. He flung the door open so hard it banged against the wall.

He pulled her out into the hallway, where he paused to look left and then right. Then he started down the hall with Bria in tow. Bria stumbled and almost fell as he pulled her behind him, but his grip on her arm kept her on her feet. He moved to the spiral staircase, and Bria had to run to keep up, holding her long dress up so as not to trip over the stone steps. The wound in her arm flared again, but she bit back any protestations.

Terran did not pause at the bottom of the steps. He pulled her roughly down the hallway, stormed into the Great Hall, and paused in the doorway, scanning the room.

Bria had a quick moment to catch her breath, but it didn’t last. Terran started toward the hearth where a group of men gathered.

They turned as Terran approached.

Suddenly Terran shoved Bria to the ground. “If you will not tell me who my enemy is, I can only consider you my enemy as well.”

“Terran,” Bria cried, pushing herself up to a sitting position.

Terran’s eyes shifted to someone standing over her. “Find out who he is,” he ordered.