Chapter 44 · I turned my head. His cheek was close

I turned my head. His cheek was close enough that my lashes nearly brushed it.

"No," I said. "But I would have enjoyed watching you try."

His eyes held mine.

The council chamber disappeared for one dangerous second. There was only his hand around mine, his breath at my skin, and the space between our mouths shrinking without either of us admitting it.

Then Vey cleared his throat.

Silas did not look away from me. "What does the second line mean?"

I blinked. "There is no second line."

"You said the note was incomplete."

"I said it doesn't name the queen."

"The code has more than one meaning."

"How do you know that?"

"Because I have been fighting Klaus longer than you have been reading his ledgers."

"Then stop questioning me like I am the only one with secrets."

His hand slid from my palm to my fingers. "You're asking for trust while hiding an execution order."

"I'm asking you not to make me your prisoner."

"You are already under my protection."

"That sounds like a nicer word for prisoner."

"If you were my prisoner, you would have chains."

"Maybe you just prefer using your hands.