Chapter 11 · The Kiss and the Key

"You have five minutes to charm him, and not one second to tell him why." Cedric's fingers closed around my injured wrist before I stepped into the command hall.

His thumb pressed the bandage over my palm. Pain shot up my arm. I kept my face still.

"Take your hand off me."

"Lucian Veyre has twelve guards, two witnesses, and a warrant with your name hidden under another woman's." His voice stayed low. His body blocked the servants moving past us. "If he recognizes you, you're not walking out."

"Then stop giving me advice and let me go."

His eyes dropped to my mouth. Only for half a second. It still hit harder than it should have.

"Get close," he said. "Take his access key."

"I know the job."

"Do you?"

I yanked my wrist free. "You brought him here."

"I brought him here because he demanded access to my fortress. I need to know what he's after."

"You need the key."

"I need you alive."

The words landed between us, too sharp to ignore and too quiet for anyone else to hear.

I stepped closer until my coat brushed his.