House of Kings(43)

I wish Nial were here. He’s always been good at keeping me calm and even—something I’m losing a hold on lately. But he’s at work at the hospital. I hate that he has to continue working there, but we need the blood with such a full House.

“I don’t know that there is any more we can do at this point,” I say, my eyes once again studying the map. “They will attack again; I think we can be sure about that. But we will be more vigilant.”

“I’ll have three guards out at all times, patrolling town and the grounds,” Anna says, slipping instantly back into General mode.

“I volunteer for day watch,” Danny says. He pulls his goggles out from his vest pocket. I wonder how often he leaves the Institute during the day, like he requested I not ask about. I wouldn’t know since I’m not often there. “I think Bridget will go with me.” The older woman who volunteered to come to our House.

“Take Trinity with you, too,” Anna says. “She needs to keep herself busy and useful.”

Danny nods and slips out of the library without a word.

“I’ll get working on the other shift schedules,” Anna says. She gathers the map into her arms and heads out. “Come on,” she says as she passes Danielle. “Come help me and make yourself worthwhile.”

She peels away from the wall and follows after Anna.

Leaving Raheem and I alone.

It’s the first time we’ve had a few moments alone in weeks. And I find myself afraid to meet his eyes.

“This will end in war,” he says quietly from behind me.

“I know that,” I respond. Gathering my courage, I stand, turn, and lean against the desk, finally facing him.

He stands beside the fireplace, the flames casting shadows on his form. He wears a tan tunic and a keffiyeh that’s red with geometric black patterns. His expression is long, serious. Those dark eyes dance as they stare at me.

“You know it’s all an act, right?” I say quietly. I stand, crossing my arms over my chest.

“You are a pretty damn good actress,” he says. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you really might be the Queen and that you really might have feelings for the King. You sure put on a convincing show.”

“But you do know better, right?” I ask as I take two steps toward Raheem.

We’re toeing that dangerous line once more. So many beings with enhanced hearing inhabit this house, but most are asleep. Cyrus and X have retired to a vacant house to work on running the world. That doesn’t stop just because he’s investigating me.

There’s little to no one around to overhear us. But it’s still incredibly dangerous.

“I don’t know,” he says. His body language is screaming guarded. The tense shoulders. The wary expression. “Do I?”

“You should,” I say as I take another step toward him. The distance between us closes and I feel the electricity in the air spark. “We all have our roles to play in this game. But it’s just a role. Not the truth.”

“And what is the truth, Alivia?” he asks as I stop just a foot away from him.

“That you make me feel alive again,” I say, my voice growing more and more quiet. I reach up and grab a fistful of his tunic and pull him closer to me. “That there’s something electric between us. And that doesn’t go away when you’re not around.”

I feel his breath on my chest, and my eyes drop to study the strong arms he possesses, the wide chest. My curiosity burns inside of me, like a wild animal searching for a desperate meal.

“Is it me you think about when the King touches you?” he whispers as he leans in, his lips brushing my ear. “Do you dream of deserts and caves when you sleep? Do you long for sand and pyramids?”

My eyes slide closed as his lips move down to my neck. I let my head fall back, exposing more flesh for him. His hands wrap around my back, pulling my body to his.

“Yes,” I breathe without fully comprehending his question.

And I’m left breathless for just a second as Raheem disappears. The doors snap closed and the lock slides into place. We’re alone, no longer exposed for anyone who may wander by.

Suddenly, my back is pressed against a bookshelf as Raheem molds against my body. He holds my hands high above my head, his face just a breath from mine.

“Were you not a regent, I would take you somewhere far away,” he says as his eyes study mine. “Somewhere remote and beautiful and warm. Just the two of us.”

The breath hitches in my throat and I feel everything surging inside of me. Wanting to get closer, so much closer. Wanting more. Being terrified, because this is so much, too soon, so dangerous, so the wrong-