The Skylighter (The Keepers' Chronicles Book 2) by Becky Wallace Page B

thought perhaps we could share a meal.” She set a picnic basket on the fountain’s edge. “Why do you let people believe you’re weak?”
    “What makes you think I’m not?” He smiled, though her perusal made him uncomfortable. Dom hadn’t inherited his mother’s height or preternatural leanness. He was all DeSilva. Thick shouldered, thick armed, thick chested. Where Rafi was quick and calculated grace, Dom was raw, brute force. He’d always felt heavy and slow when he and his brother squared off on the training yard. It wasn’t until Dom began digging the trenches and working on the palisade that he really appreciated the benefits of his build. “Aren’t you here to gain my brother’s favor, anyway?”
    She waved to the empty woods. “Do you see your brother around?”
    “Did you have something to do with that?”
    “Are we only allowed to talk to each other in questions?”
    He gave an irritated cough. “Why do I have to talk to you at all?”
    With a tilt of her chin and a raised eyebrow, she answered him directly. “Your brother, and now you, are my only avenues to escape my father’s house. Until Rafi returns—and let’s be honest, the prospects are not promising— you are the heir to Santiago. Even if by some miracle Rafi does return, you’re set to inherit your uncle’s dukedom.”
    The words made goose bumps rise along Dom’s exposed flesh. He had learned a few days before that his uncle Fernando planned to name Rafi as heir to Impreza. Should something happen to Rafi, both states would be left to Dom. No one had been in his mother’s office when she relayed that awful news. “Where did you hear that?”
    “I know lots of things. I know you love caramel and hate red peppers. You don’t like white flowers because they remind you of your father’s funeral. Your birthday was two days ago, and you had a small cake in the kitchen with only your mother and Cook for company.” A satisfied grin spread across Maribelle’s face, and she stepped closer to him. “And right now I know you’re thinking about how easy it would be to kiss me.”
    He wasn’t. Not until she mentioned it. His eyes dropped to her mouth, and he felt the press of her palm at his waist.
    It would be easy. She’s beautiful and smells so good. Why not?
    Why not? Because you don’t trust her. You don’t even like her.
    But she is attractive. And I’ve kissed a lot of girls I don’t like.
    This is wrong.
    I don’t care.
    Yes, you do.
    He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her against him. She gasped, arching under his touch, closing the whisper of space between their bodies. He lowered his head, feathering his lips along the line of her jaw, breathing in the floral scent that rose off her skin.
    “Maribelle,” he murmured, against the corner of her mouth. “Who told you about Fernando?”
    Her fingers spread over his back, dragging slowly from waist to neck. “Do you think you can kiss information out of me?”
    The thought had crossed his mind, and the twist of her lips told him she knew it.
    Dom straightened, looking down into her dark eyes. “I know you’re spying for your father.”
    “You’re wrong, but I’m certain someone else is selling information to Lord Belem.” She gave a great sigh. “The problem for both of us is that I haven’t been able to locate the spy and convince them to serve me instead.”
    That day on the roof—he had known the message she’d tried to destroy was more than a love letter. He disentangled himself from her grip and wrung the remaining water out of his shirt. “Why are you telling me?”
    “Because the spy may reveal your defensive plans to Belem, helping him prepare an attack against your estate.”
    “May?” He yanked the material over his head. Whereas the water had at first felt refreshing, now with Maribelle’s words and the chill of the setting sun, it felt dank and uncomfortable against his tired muscles.
    She reached for a red-tipped lily that had been