The Night House Read online

  Good. At least she didn’t have to drag her.

  “What’s this about?” Adrianna laughed.

  “Later,” Taya rasped. Since when did she sound part snake?

  Adrianna snapped her mouth shut, but amusement danced in her eyes. They stepped through the large double doorway leading into the ballroom and left the music and chatter behind them. Adrianna’s dress rustled against the floor and her satin shoes made a cute pitter-patter against the shiny stonework.

  “Who would be a believable ‘guest’ for you to entertain in your rooms?”

  Adrianna’s brow arched.

  Taya rolled her eyes. They turned the corner toward their rooms. An Auroris servant waited at the hall entranceway. He stiffened at their approach and drew himself taller, tugging down on his blazer with gold trim to signify his house.

  “Fetch Lokni from the barracks and send him to Lady Adrianna’s room.”

  Adrianna gasped.

  Taya dug her fingers into her friend’s forearm.

  The servant’s eyes widened, but he bobbed his head and took off down the hall.

  “What are you doing?” Adrianna hissed.

  “Oh, stop.” Taya released her friend’s arm and held up her hand. “You two aren’t fooling anyone, and I need your help.”

  Adrianna clamped her mouth shut again and unlocked the door to her room. The hinges creaked when she swung it open, waving Taya to enter ahead of her.

  Taya stepped into the dark room and quickly checked the corners and closed the windows while Adrianna used magic to light the candles and bask them in the soft glow of fire.

  “What’s this about?” Adrianna balled her hands and placed them on her hips.

  “I’m assuming you arrived with more outfits than you could possibly wear for your visit here?”

  Adrianna nodded.

  “Perfect. We’re the same size. I need a dress.”

  Adrianna’s brows shot up again. “Is this for Thane?”

  “This is for the house.”

  Adrianna’s head snapped back.

  “I need to go back to the ball where no one but Thane will recognize me as his shadow, and I need you to wear my clothes and follow him as if you’re me.”

  Adrianna shifted from one foot to the other. Her dress swayed back and forth, brushing the throw rug at the base of the large four-poster bed. “I’m not made for fighting.”

  “I’m sure there’s another f-word Lokni thinks you’re made for.”

  “Brat!” Adrianna searched the nearby dresser, found a silver brush and threw it at Taya’s head.

  Taya laughed and caught the brush in the air. She placed it gently on the bed covers and turned back to her friend. “Relax. Thane’s capable of taking care of himself at this event. We’ll switch back before he leaves.”

  “Did someone figure out you’re earthen?”

  Taya balked.

  Adrianna rolled her eyes and dropped her arms. “Oh, please. You’re not fooling anyone, either. I’ve been your friend for almost a year and you say the most bizarre things.”

  Taya’s mouth dropped open. Thane never referred to her as an earthen, but she’d grown accustomed to identifying with the word. At least mentally. She kept her promise and never spoke of her origins outside of Thane’s trusted team. Why would she? Most Arkavians still viewed earthens as less than and it would blow her cover as Thane’s mysterious Tarka shadow. But now she regretted her silence with her friend. Adrianna’s tone and body language carried no judgement or derision. Only annoyance.

  “Come on.” Adrianna nudged her in the ribs. “We better swap clothes now. It’ll take a miracle to get you into one of these contraptions before Lokni gets here.”

  Taya snorted. Her comrade was probably sprinting over here as they spoke. “He’ll just have to wait at the door.”

  A small smile spread across her friend’s face. “He’s good at waiting.”

  Taya held her hand up again. “Stop right there. I don’t need to know details. Let’s do this.”

  Taya took a deep breath of perfumed and powdered air and re-entered the ballroom. Though she technically wore more material than when she worked as Thane’s shadow, she felt naked. The absence of her head covering left her face fully exposed to the judging eyes of Arkavian aristocracy and the skin-tight, lung-crushing bodice, displayed her chest like some smorgasbord of bosom. How did Adrianna breathe in this? How did she move so freely?

  She read a feminist article a long time ago, in a different life, that claimed men came up with these ridiculous fashion trends to prevent women from running away. At the time, she’d laughed. Right now? It made a bit of sense. This outfit would become completely debilitating if she had to fight or run.

  Taya lifted her chin and walked passed the guards. They didn’t take names or check a list. She needed no ID or hall pass. Her hair and Arkavian looks were her ticket into this high society event. Luckily, she spotted her mark nearly right away.

  The Tarka lord.

  Should she slip a dagger between his rips and walk away?

  No.

  One, she didn’t have permission. Two, although he deserved death for his role in the earthen slaughter alone, she hadn’t determined exactly what was at stake here.

  Swiping a glass of sparkling booze in a tall flute from a tray perched precariously on the hand of a servant, she trailed the Arkavian lord. He walked with purpose, eyes narrowed, and made his way toward the head table.

  She’d missed Julian’s and Alexis’ grand entrance and making all the appropriate sounds of admiration like some baying cow. Oh drat!

  The Tarka stepped close to Julian and held out his hand. While Julian took his hand, Taya slipped past his line of sight. She hadn’t factored in the happy couple when she made this plan. Had they seen her? Spotted an employee amongst their brethren? Would they rat her out?

  She had to see this through.

  “Congratulations on your nuptials,” the Tarka lord said.

  Julian muttered a response, sounding somewhere between a grunt, sigh and growl. Oh happy day.

  “Your brother’s shadow…”

  The hairs on her arms stood up. Why was he asking about her?

  “What about her?”

  “She’d been with Thane for about a year now?”

  Julian shrugged. “Sounds about right. I don’t keep track of his servants.”

  Huh. His constant attempts to insert spies into their team suggested otherwise.

  Two women brushed past Taya in the packed room. Their perfume stung her eyes and sucked the moisture from Taya’s throat.

  Oh no. Taya rapidly swallowed spit. Her dry throat itched.

  “Where’d he find her?” the Tarka asked.

  “Why are you so interested?”

  The Tarka shrugged. “She reminds me of someone. I heard she has unknown parentage.”

  That was absolute bullshit. He hadn’t seen enough of her to remind him of anyone.

  Julian muttered another response, too low for Taya to hear. Both men barked in laughter. She downed the rest of her drink to clear her throat and placed the empty glass on a waiting tray. Hopping on her toes, she looked for another drink tray.

  Come on. Come one. Say something important! She could only loiter nearby with no one to talk to for so long before someone noticed she faced everyone’s backs like a simpleton.

  “He found her near the gate. Why? Is there a problem?”

  “Of course not. Just curious.”

  Taya slipped passed two men with shoulders as wide as old growth tree trunks and weaved around groups of gossiping nobles. Snagging another drink, she pressed the cold glass to her lips and let the soothing liquid slide down her throat like a soothing balm. Hints of fruit and oak teased her senses.

  Now. Where did the Tarka lord go?

  She turned to find her target and stopped short of ramming her face into a man’s chest.

  “Oh! Pardon me.” She stepped back, dress swirling against her legs and looked up. Her mo
uth dropped open.

  Thane’s eyes widened. His grip on his glass tightened.

  “Lord Thane?” Some curvy brunette pouted beside him.

  “Not now.”

  The woman glared and stalked off into the throng of guests, but Thane didn’t notice. Nope. He hadn’t taken his eyes off Taya. His gaze raked her body and grew wild. His lips peeled back into a ferocious, predatory smile.

  “Lord Thane. What a pleasure to meet you.” She spoke from the throat and dipped into an exaggerated courtesy, making sure to bat her eyelashes excessively. Ow. That kind of hurt.

  Someone snorted behind Thane. He whipped around to glare at Adrianna. Her friend, dressed in her fighting garb, waggled her fingers like a socialite on reality television in response. Her gray eyes crinkled.

  Great. Way to make it obvious.

  Thane shook his head and glanced at the ceiling.

  Taya kept her wide smile plastered to her face and bit back the many inappropriate responses and comments she’d like to use right now. She couldn’t though. If anyone overheard, she’d break her own cover.

  Over Thane’s shoulder, the Tarka lord stalked from a group of courtiers. He brushed past two men who turned to scowl after him, but the Tarka didn’t acknowledge them. He left the grand ballroom’s wide, double-door entrance. Alone.

  Dang it.

  “Lady?”

  “Huh?”

  Thane held his hand out, palm up, in front of her. “Would you honour me with this dance?”

  Behind him, Adrianna’s eyes crinkled more.

  Oh no.

  Her mouth dropped open again. She snapped it shut and rocked back on her heels. “Uh…”

  “Excellent.” Thane’s grin grew and he reached forward to take her hand. He drew her into the heat of his impressive body. His formal court attire accentuated his broad shoulders, formidable stance and the brutal efficiency from a lifetime of war. He would take her in his arms and carry her off into a world she had no right or desire to be in.

  Dance? With Thane? Pressed against his strong chest? Held in his powerful arms? Moving together rhythmically to seductive music? Nope. She couldn’t let that happen. She snatched her hand back. “I’m so honoured, Lord Thane, but…I’m not feeling well.”

  “Please, let my servant attend you.” He snapped his fingers at Adrianna.

  Adrianna straightened and scowled at her cousin.

  Of course, Taya couldn’t see the actual scowl with the fabric covering most of her friend’s face, but she felt it.

  “You’re too kind, Lord Thane.” She dropped in another deep courtesy.

  Thane nodded, sagely. “Please don’t linger too long in the halls. I’d like my shadow back promptly so we can discuss the many advantages and disadvantages of hasty retreats.”

  Ass.

  “Of course.” She dipped her chin and walked past Thane. His shoulders shook in silent laughter. Adrianna followed. Though she couldn’t hear or see him, Thane’s deep chuckle trailed behind her and his heated gaze remained trained on her back until she left the room.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  The Taste of Sin

  Taya waited for the door to shut behind them before she spun to face Thane. He’d waited three long minutes after she returned as his shadow before leaving the ballroom. She pulled off the mask and cool air brushed along her now-exposed mouth, cheeks, and chin. The guest room was almost as big as Thane’s personal one back at home. A giant bed sat in the center. Rich linens and textured throw pillows decorated it. Intricate carvings on the polished wood bed posts came alive under the flickering candlelight.

  “These are for you.” He held his hand out.

  Taya stared at the chocolate balls resting on his palm. Where had he stashed them? How had they not melted? Then reality hit her. Magic.

  “Aren’t these your favourites?”

  “You know they are.” She plucked them from his hand and placed them on a silver dish waiting on a side table. She’d gobble them up later, but first she needed to talk. “Thank you.”

  Thane remained near the door. He folded his arms over his chest and waited.

  “So, to clarify, Aries purposefully tested my professionalism and poked the bear so you had an excuse to speak with him in private,” she summarized.

  “Poke the bear?”

  “Made you angry.”

  “Ah.” Thane tracked her movement as she paced back and forth. “Yes. Pretty much.”

  “Why go to all that effort? Why not ask to speak with you in private and skip all the mind games and public dramatics?” Taya chewed the inside of her lip. She needed to clear this up before she told Thane what she’d discovered tonight.

  “Aries would probably tell you it was more fun the way he did it.”

  “And you believe him? He wasn’t trying to isolate you for those men to have a better chance?”

  Thane laughed. “Those men never had a chance.”

  Crap, he was right, which meant she was also probably right with her own deductions. “I think I was the target.”

  “What?” He unfolded his arms and straightened. “Why?”

  “I saw him.”

  Thane frowned. “Who?”

  “The leader guy. The one who led the slave procession that ended up getting sacrificed.”

  Stillness swept through Thane—the same serene calm he embodied before he attacked.

  Crap.

  “You saw the group before they died?”

  How did he not know that? Oh, wait. He’d stopped the memory sift once he got to the sacrifice and hadn’t gone farther back in time. “Yes. I hid in the bushes and watched Arkavians lead them away. A lord stopped his horse near my hiding place. I assumed he died in the sacrifice circle, but I never looked at all the bodies.”

  “And you got a good look at his face?”

  Didn’t she just explain all that? “Yes.”

  Thane grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the door.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Taking you back to the festivities so you can identify the man.”

  “There’s no need.”

  Thane froze.

  “I know who he is.”

  Thane turned toward her and dropped her hand.

  “You named him already. Sort of. You said my swords belonged to his brother. He’s from the House of Raiden.”

  Thane snarled. “Lord Gale.”

  “I guess so.”

  “Wait. Gale of Raiden led the slave procession that ended up butchered in a sacrifice ring and you just thought to mention it now?” Thane’s silver gaze flashed. He stepped into her personal space. Large and looming, he towered over her, breathing hard.

  She yearned to spread her hands across his chest or grip his hair and haul him down for a kiss. Would he taste as sinful as he did in her dreams?

  His mouth parted. He leaned down, so close the heat from his skin bathed her face.

  She licked her lips.

  His gaze flicked to her mouth. His large hands clamped on her shoulders and pulled her close. Finally! She’d feel his lips on hers after a year of torment and need.

  A delicate knock tapped against the door.

  No!

  Thane released her and straightened. He opened the door without looking or securing the safety chain. “What?”

  Alexis jumped.

  What the hell was she doing here? It was her wedding night. She should be basking in the glow of everyone’s attention, not skulking off to her former lover’s bedroom.

  Alexis recovered and smoothed down her voluminous wedding dress. The garment fit her upper body like a glove and cascaded to the floor perfectly. It didn’t need any smoothing.

  “May I come in?” She stepped across the threshold without waiting for a response.

  Taya had to step back or risk getting taken out by tulle.

  “Now is not a good time, Alexis.” Thane reverted back to his statue impersonation.

  Damn skippy this wasn’t a good time. This sel
fish bitch had ruined a perfect moment, one Taya might never get back.

  “It’s never a good time.” Alexis threw her arms around Thane and sagged into his body.

  Oh. Oh my. Not at all how she expected this conversation to go. Didn’t she marry Julian mere hours ago? They’d watched her breathless reciting of the Arkavian wedding vows through her pouting, painted lips.

  Thane stiffened. He patted Alexis’ back like he wasn’t sure if she’d snarl and bite his hand off. “What are you doing here?”

  As if noticing Taya’s presence for the first time, Alexis flicked her wrist and twirled her finger in Taya’s direction. “You can leave.”

  Taya folded her arms.

  Alexis scowled and turned her attention back to Thane. “I miss you.”

  “You just married my brother,” Thane said. “You’ll see me quite often now.”

  “Not the way I want to see you.” She dropped her voice, making it low and raspy, and leaving zero doubt to what she desired.

  Get in line.

  Alexis pulled back and batted her long eyelashes at Thane.

  Taya shuffled her feet. Developing the skill to disappear would be fabulous right now. Well, actually, she had learned how to make herself almost invisible at night using a Tarka shield, but Thane told her to keep it a secret. Alexis had already proven herself incapable of keeping a promise, let alone a secret.

  Thane maintained his stony expression. “You should have thought about that before you broke off the engagement.”

  “I had to do it. I couldn’t risk…”

  “My father disowning me?”

  She sniffed and nodded.

  “If he hasn’t disowned me in thirty-one years, I highly doubt he’d consider it now.”

  And Lane probably never would, either. Over the last year, Taya figured out an important fact—the House of Jericho needed Thane. Neither Lane nor Julian had as much power as Thane, nor were they as feared. The threat and danger the second son of the House of Jericho posed to others was enough to dissuade the majority of attacks and backstabbing. If they lost Thane, or disowned him, they lost their shield and security.

  Alexis pulled herself up and pressed her lips against Thane’s.

  A wild surge of anger rumbled through Taya’s veins. She had no claim on him. No right to be jealous. Yet here it was, ugly and real, twisting in her gut. Taya clamped her hands into fists. One step and she’d be close enough to sink her fist into Alexis’ pretty face.