Beguiled (The Fairest Maidens #2) - Jody Hedlund Page 0,36

One pair would search St. Matthew’s Cathedral. Another would investigate the local lockup. And Mikkel and I planned to head to the town market and public green. Mikkel had insisted on being with me, although Gregor wanted to come too and had reluctantly conceded to being with one of the other outcasts.

We directed the boat toward a wharf on the far end of town where the buildings were older and the shacks run-down. A few upstairs windows reflected low candlelight, but otherwise, the town was asleep.

When the boat thumped against the pier, Mikkel was the first to leap out, then reached back in to assist me. In my usual hose and breeches, I’d donned a cloak to hide my long hair and prevent anyone from seeing me. Though the summer nights in Norland were cooler than Warwick’s, the cloak was heavy and oppressive in the humidity that hung in the air.

Mikkel leaned in, his face nearly touching mine. “Ready?”

I nodded. Already the other outcasts were slinking away in pairs, disappearing into the shadows.

“Stay right behind me,” he whispered.

“I shall lead,” I whispered back. “I know the way better.”

He shook his head, his nose brushing my cheek. “Irontooth explained where we need to go, and I shall lead.”

I started to shake my head, but he pressed in closer so his lips almost touched my ear, distracting me and silencing me at the same time.

“I conceded in letting you come.” His whisper turned harsh. “Don’t make me regret it.”

Before I could protest any further, he started toward the nearest building, racing fast but crouching low. We flew down one dark street after another, keeping to the back ways and ducking into alleys the instant we heard any noise but our own.

As we reached the town green, we cautiously peeked out of an alley. Immediately, Mikkel ducked back and pushed me behind him.

“What—?” I started to whisper only to have him clamp a hand over my veil and mouth.

He spun me around so my back was against the cool wattle-and-daub exterior of the closest business. And then he startled me by practically throwing himself against me.

“A soldier,” he whispered against my ear. “Pretend to be kissing me.”

“But my veil—”

“Pull it down.” He glanced over his shoulder, his voice urgent and his body stiff.

I hesitantly tugged.

“Hurry.” He pushed off my hood and let my long hair show before bracing his elbows on either side of my face. He leaned his face in so our noses touched but the veil still covered my mouth.

I loosened the ribbons that held it firmly in place and lowered it farther so my mouth was free. With the darkness of the alley along with his shadow falling over me, I doubted he could see anything except my outline. Even so, I trembled at the prospect of him seeing me—truly seeing me—for the first time.

At the slap of nearing footsteps, I brushed my nose against his. I’d never kissed a man, much less pretended to do so, and I was at a loss for how to proceed. “How shall I pretend—?”

His mouth captured mine, cutting off my words. Warmth and power and passion pulsed against me, and suddenly I was lost in the connection, lost in a beautiful place I’d never gone before.

Vaguely, I could hear the thud of steps turning into the alley, but I was too enamored by the feel of Mikkel’s lips upon mine and somehow needed to respond. In fact, his kiss seemed to demand something from me in return. I could do nothing less than move my lips with his.

“What’s going on?” said a gruff voice from a few paces away.

Mikkel abruptly ended the kiss but continued to recline against me, his elbows resting nonchalantly against the wall though his muscles tensed. “I think it’s obvious what’s going on, don’t you?” He attempted a note of humor before he leaned in, touching his lips to mine once more.

Although Mikkel was pretending at kissing me, the sensation was unlike anything I’d ever known, and I didn’t need to feign an interest in reciprocating. I rose up again, this time eagerly. And I pressed into him more thoroughly, kissing him back with as much fervor as he’d kissed me.

“Take it inside.” The soldier’s gruff voice was also laced with mirth.

“Excellent idea.” Mikkel broke away for an instant before I chased his lips and found them, giving him no choice but to kiss me again.

The soldier snorted a laugh before he moved out of the alley, his footsteps