Obsidian - Miranda Bridges Page 0,19

on his ring gleaming in the lights. “Shall we, my love?”

On impulse I decide to play along, if only to show how ridiculous he sounds to me. I place my fingers on his palm, and he wastes no time tightening his hold on me and pulling me close, erasing the distance I created. The show of possession catches me off guard, but I recover quickly. After tilting up my lips in a saccharine smile, I cock my head and bat my lashes.

“Yes, my darling,” I purr. “I simply cannot wait.”

Castien’s gaze flares briefly with surprise before his lips spread into a grin and his eyes shine with mirth. He leads me into the elevator just as a cleaning robot zooms inside with us. If not for that and the camera flashing above the door panel, I’d ask him about Hazel and how he knows of her.

The elevator ride is smooth, and the distance covered is impressive at the speed in which we travel, if the lit symbols are any indication. I guess when the Torags gave us the translator implants, that didn’t include the knowledge of reading and writing alien languages.

Castien runs his thumb over my knuckles, his touch feathery and light. It reminds me of the way he held my ankle back at the brothel. Just like now, there was no malice or ill will in his hold. It was what prompted me to trust him.

I just hope I haven’t made a giant mistake.

We step from the elevator, and Castien leads me to our room. After unlocking the door, he drops my hand and steps inside. He gives off the vibes of a ladies’ man, yet he strides right past me. I peer around the doorframe, slightly miffed, only to watch him open the closet doors, stalk around the perimeter of the room while pulling aside the drapes on the windows, and inspect the bathroom. My chest tightens at the realization that he went first in case there was a threat waiting for us.

Castien is protecting me.

I step inside, letting the door shut with a soft click as I take in the room.

The floors and walls are midnight black, and the furnishings are surprisingly antiquated and just as dark. Silver sconces frame the four-poster bed. It is massive with swaths of silk draped across the top acting as a canopy and the ruby-red coverlet, paired with the mahogany wood-like material, reminds me of a coffin.

It would be inviting if there weren’t only one bed.

Yes, it’s massive, but so is Castien. And the way he prowls toward me while slowly untucking his shirt, I doubt he’d be willing to sleep on the couch.

I clear the nerves in my throat and cross my arms, fixing my gaze on him. But he just keeps getting closer. “How do you know Hazel’s name?” I ask, my voice firm despite his advancing. However, I take a step in retreat instead of holding my ground.

“I know a lot of names.” Castien continues walking until my back hits a wall, and he cages me there with his arms. “Just like I know yours, Jade.”

A shiver runs down my spine at the seductive way he utters my name.

“Please answer the question,” I whisper.

I grasp the torn edges of my dress and pull it more securely around me as if it will shield me from him and whatever his intentions are. There is unconcealed desire in his gaze, but that is distinctly different from the lustful stares I received while in the cage. Yet it still worries me because I’m at his mercy.

And I’m attracted to him.

I may not have been kissed in a while, but I know a skilled lover when I see one, and Castien would play a better whore than me.

“I know another name,” he says, leaning so close that his breath skims the bridge of my nose. “Adam.” As soon as he says it, Castien’s gaze searches mine with a relentlessness that has me turning my head to the side, unable to withstand the intensity. “Ah, I see you know this one too,” he murmurs. “Now you tell me what you know of this name.” His lips brush the side of my neck ever so softly. It’s not quite a kiss, but I gasp, ready to shove him away if he does it again.

“He’s Hazel’s brother,” I say quietly.

“What else?”

I frown and swing my gaze to Castien, not understanding the question. “What else is there?”

“Nothing apparently.”

He pulls back, dropping his arms by his sides,