Fear of Fire and Shadow (The Fade #1) - Samantha Young Page 0,64
steps that led into the walled gardens. I hurried along, trying to keep up with him, my heart thudding as I gripped the hilt of the sword in my sweating hand. What could be wrong to have put Wolfe in this strange state of tense calm?
When he disappeared into the high hedges that hid us from the view of the house, I’d had enough. “Wolfe!” I called sharply, drawing to a halt.
He spun around, and I bit my lip. Damn it, I’d used his given name again. Shrugging off my embarrassment, I glared at him. “Well? What is the matter? I’m not following you any longer until you tell me what is going on.”
Wolfe shrugged and headed toward me, his movements slow, almost predatory. “I merely wanted privacy to continue your training.”
An angry flush colored my face. “I was in the middle of training. I don’t need your help.”
“I’m the best swordsman in the Royal Guard,” he said without arrogance, and I knew it was true. “Don’t you want to learn from the best?”
“I was learning from second best, which is quite all right with me.” I thrust my chin in the air, running my eyes down the length of his body with a look of distaste. “Why don’t you return to your mistress, Captain? I’ve heard she enjoys a bit of swordplay.”
Wolfe laughed, a true happy laugh that sent a shiver through me. I stepped back, but he followed until I was pressed up against a hedge, the branches pricking into my skin through my dress. He loomed over me, inches from me, intimidating me. “Are we going to spar or not?”
Determined I could withstand his nearness, I gave him a stubborn nod and pushed him away. He immediately encircled me, his arms coming around and covering my hand on the sword.
“I’ve already been shown how to hold it,” I said hoarsely, my skin tight and sensitive at his proximity. I could feel his breath in my ear, his hard thighs through my skirts.
“You’ve not been shown how to hold mine properly,” he replied in a low voice, his lips brushing my ear. My cheeks must have bloomed bright red as understanding dawned. The lascivious son of a …
“Why, you—” My indignation trailed off into silence at the surprisingly sweet kiss he pressed against my neck. He held me tight as if trying to offer comfort more than passion. I almost melted into him. But then … I have an excellent memory.
I swear, I’ve never met a man who knows how to use his mouth quite so well.
Winter!
I stiffened. I remembered overhearing her one night at the palace two summer seasons ago. She and her friends had been discussing her liaison with Wolfe with pride and relish.
I would pay all the gold in Phaedra to be showered in that man’s kisses.
Feeling stupider than stupid, I shoved away from Wolfe, hard. He staggered a little. Turning to face him, I found his eyes bright and narrowed with frustration.
“I’m not one of your women,” I hissed, hating the sting of tears in my eyes. “It’s not like that between us. Go back to Winter.”
His face hardened and he bristled. For a moment, I had forgotten how much larger he was than me, his height casting me into shadow. “I’m not having an affair with Winter,” Wolfe growled. “It’s been over between us for a long time.”
I wanted to believe him. Wolfe wasn’t the kind of man who lied. And I knew, deep down, as I sneered at him and composed myself, because it was easier that way, I was deliberately choosing to believe otherwise. I shook my head, the message in my eyes clear. I felt his glare burn through my back as I hurried out of the gardens and away from him.
Dinner was excruciating. I wore my best dress, which wasn’t saying much considering all I had packed were traveling gowns. I sat next to Chaeron, hoping his soothing presence would get me through the ordeal of sharing dinner with Winter and Wolfe. Winter sat at the head of the table with Wolfe at her side. As per usual, she was dressed as perfectly as a doll, flawless and refined. A lady.
Wolfe and I refused to look at one another, and I knew Chaeron was confused by the tension at the table. A tension that grew worse when it became apparent that Winter had cooled in her regard for me.