The Moonling ruler froze at the entrance of their corridor, finding it empty. Isla might have found pleasure in the shock on Cleo’s face, if she wasn’t so afraid.
She was trembling. Cleo was just feet away. If the Moonling discovered her, Celeste’s plans and help would be for nothing. Just because Isla was foolish enough not to be cautious. Just because she was upset that she didn’t find the bondbreaker on her first try.
The Moonling took a step forward, right toward them. Silent as a shadow, Grim lifted Isla as if she weighed nothing and shifted them both to the side of the room. The rough stone wall dug into her back. Grim was shielding her. She could feel his breath against her forehead.
Isla tried not to focus on whatelseshe could feel. His tight grip on her waist, the cold emanating from him searing through the thin fabric of her stolen clothing. The chill that licked her spine like night blossoming in her bones.
Out of fear, she told herself, fear of being discovered. Nothing else.
The Moonling walked the entire length of the room—before finally retreating the way she had come.
Only after her steps were too faint to hear did Grim make them visible again.
And Isla was shocked by his proximity.
She was pressed against the wall, and he towered over her, head bent so low his nose almost grazed hers.
He looked down at her. “Have you decided to change realms, Heart-eater?” he said, reaching up and taking a strand of her colored hair between his fingers. “If so, you might consider Nightshade. We can’t compete with Skyling when it comes to sweets or inventive drinks, but if debauchery is what you’re after ...” His dark gaze gleamedin amusement. “We are most famed for our thorough exploration of pleasure.”
What was he implying? His hands were still on her waist, his fingers long against her ribs. She took a shaky breath.
Then batted him away, scowling. “Count me uninterested,” she said.
But Grim only grinned as he took a step back.
Of course. The demon could feel her emotions, the heat pooling in her stomach as she thought about his surprisingly gentle touch. The way his lips had curled around the wordpleasure...
No.What was wrong with her? She had always judged the Wildlings reckless enough to begin to have feelings for someone. They risked the relationship ending in death.
Isla’s actions put her entirerealmat risk.
She wanted freedom. She wanted to break her and her people’s curses. That was all.
That waseverything.
“Thank you,” she said simply.
Then she darted out of the hall as quickly as she could.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
AZUL
Isla’s invitation arrived the next morning. Her demonstration was next.
All night, the Nightshade had haunted her dreams. Their brief encounter in the hallway had affected her more than she cared to admit.
Grim had made her invisible, just because she had asked. He had no reason to help her. If it hadn’t been for him, Cleo would have discovered her, and all of Isla’s plans would have been ruined in one disastrous night.
She knew she would regret this. If Celeste ever found out, she might seriously reconsider their friendship.
It was foolish,dangerous,but Isla set off looking for the Nightshade.
She knew all the rulers’ habits by now, thanks to her regular snooping during the last sixteen days. Azul was always with his people and spent a surprising amount of time walking along the coast. Cleo was always surrounded by nobles she seemed to keep at an arm’s length and visited her isle far more than the other rulers. Oro left the castle nearly every night, and she still hadn’t had the nerve to follow him.
Grim’s movements were more of a mystery, since he was often invisible, traveling from place to place unnoticed. A few times, though, she had caught him slipping into a bar in the marketplace in the middle of the afternoon. That was where she headed.
She was nearly at the agora when her name was spoken.
