A Girl in Black and White (Alyria 2)

I’d even decided to forget the whole thing, and had walked away, leaving her at the table, disaster following my back in the pair of unnaturally dark eyes. But then she barged into my room in nothing but a fucking man’s shirt, and that voice and that gaze crawled under my skin like a nuisance I couldn’t shake.

And now I had to stay a couple more days. Didn’t know if I would even make it that long, but the woman couldn’t even use her magic. Her Shadow magic, maybe, but I knew she wouldn’t be quick to use that. She was too good, too honest, and principled. She was the last girl on Alyria I would think to be a Shadow. I had brought attention to who she was, and I would stay until I knew she could at least defend herself.

Maxim took a seat next to me, resting his boots on the balcony ledge. “You could have warned me,” he said. “I was in a meeting with King Filip, and I’m sure he thinks I now have an affliction that I’ll spread to his daughter.”

I let out a breath of amusement. “You do have an affliction. Surprised he’s not worried you’ll slip up and kill your new wife.”

A drama was visible in the Northie square, the festival still in full swing, and every once in a while, the laughter would carry up to the terrace. I heard a couple of servants enter the room to light the wall sconces, one of the women grumbling under her breath when she noticed the glass on the floor.

“I have two non-Untouchable women,” Maxim said indifferently like it proved me wrong that he would never slip up.

I leaned back in my chair, my mind involuntarily shifting through every moment earlier, my heartbeat picking up. I’d never actually dressed a woman in my life—let alone urged a woman to put her clothes back on—but I couldn’t form any rational thoughts while she stood naked in my room without a care in the world.

I knew why she was named Calamity. Because she was a fucking travesty to all men alike.

Gets herself under your skin, and then dashes off to find a better man suited to marry.

I wanted to drag her back from that gathering; the urge was so strong it crept through my body, but I pushed it away. After a moment, I responded absently, “And I’m sure those women are sitting on the shelf, gaining dust.”

He lifted a shoulder, a sly smile on his lips. “I don’t think Filip cares about what happens to his daughter, anyway. She’s not a virgin, he made that clear to me. She thinks she’s in love with some stablehand.”

I shook my head, some pleasure running through me. “You’re a dumbass for agreeing to that. She’s going to make your life hell.”

He returned dryly, “I don’t think you can verse me on women. Looks like you’re doing a piss poor job yourself.”

“It’s my goal to fuck it up.”

“Right. So, you’re leaving for good ol’ Elian tonight then?”

I clenched my teeth in annoyance at his mocking tone, hearing the women whispering behind me about whose job it was to light the lantern out here, a slight tinge of fear in the air. I wouldn’t blame them that they didn’t want to closet themselves on a terrace with Maxim and me.

After Calamity left the room last night, thank fuck there was something else I wanted—no, needed—to deal with besides her. So, I went to Maxim’s harem, grabbed his favorite woman—a bastard of royal lines—and dragged her down the hall to my room. If there was anything more than a touchy subject between Maxim and I, it was women.

The fact that his woman hadn’t had any reservations against sleeping with me filled me with dark amusement, merely because it would piss Maxim off.

Though, I wouldn’t have fucked a Maxim hand-me-down for my sanity. I knew just the thought that I could would push Maxim over the edge. And I was right.

I found out he’d never been with Calamity.

And he’d also hit me so hard, it was probably the only reason I was sane today. Though, that didn’t stop me from hitting him back. I’d been able to beat him for years now, but it was a nice surprise I didn’t have to hold back much. Regardless, the stupid bastard loved a fight, no matter if he lost or not.

Maxim laughed, running his thumb across his bottom lip. “Man, I wouldn’t leave either. Not after that.”

“Stop acting like you were there,” I said, annoyed, my eyes following one of the maids who braved up enough to light the lantern on the table between us.

Maxim waited until she left. “Thought I was going to bloody die.” He shook his head. “I’ve never been half as crazy for a woman as your diluted feelings were earlier.”

I laughed, unamused, because yea, I was fucked. “That’s because you don’t know what it’s like to wait for something. Your momma never loved you, and so you smother yourself with women to ease your pain.”

“Fuck, that’s what it is, isn’t it?” He looked amused, pulling a cheroot out of his shirt pocket and lighting it in the lantern flame.

“I’m staying two more days,” I said, looking into the distance. I could almost see that brothel Calamity lived in.

“Bad idea.” Maxim shook his head.

I stole the cheroot from his hand. “Why don’t we talk about your bad ideas instead? Your un-cursed bride who’s probably carrying some other man’s child for starters,” I said, inhaling some smoke.

Maxim simply pulled another cheroot out of his pocket, lighting it up. “She’ll stay secluded for three months before the ceremony, and I’ll make sure she isn’t with child.” He shrugged like it was an easy solution.