Chapter 38 · Ivory Betrayal

"Take your hand off the door, Kael." Julian's voice came from behind me, low and sharp. "Now."

I kept my palm against the iron latch. The manor's east exit was three steps away. Beyond it waited the old service tunnel, a stolen horse, and maybe a chance to get far enough from Julian's guards to breathe.

Maybe.

The lock clicked behind me.

Julian's hand closed around my wrist before I could turn. His fingers were cold enough to make my skin ache. He dragged my arm away from the door and pinned it against my chest.

"You put guards outside my room," I said.

"I put guards outside every door."

"Cute. Which one is my cell?"

He stepped closer. His coat brushed my sleeve. I could feel the hard line of his body at my back, the controlled rise of his breath near my ear.

"This isn't a cell."

"Then unlock it."

"No."

I twisted hard. His grip tightened, not enough to break anything, just enough to remind me he could.

"You don't get to lock me in a manor and call it protection."

"You tried to leave with a cracked bone under your skin.