A Touch of Shadow: The Duke's Obsession

"This incense talisman wards off bad luck," Rhaegar replied calmly. "Keep it on you and it will protect your well-being."

Caelith did not dare take it.

It was his possession. If she wore it and someone discovered it, it would surely invite gossip. Worse still, the nature of their relationship was already too ambiguous. Accepting such an object would only make matters harder to explain.

"My lord believes in such things?" she asked cautiously. In her mind, a man as ruthless and decisive as the Commander of the Shadow Guard hardly seemed the sort who trusted in charms for protection.

"You wish to know?" Rhaegar leaned down slightly, his voice lowering near her ear. "Ask me properly, and I may tell you."

Embarrassment flickered across Caelith’s face. She turned her head away, clearly refusing to accept the sachet.

"What is this?" Rhaegar said lightly, amusement glinting in his eyes. "Afraid to take it?"

Seeing her hesitation, he did not wait for her answer. Instead, he placed the sachet directly into her palm.

"My lord, that would be inappropriate—" Caelith began, trying to return it.

But his hand closed over hers, stopping her.

"Keep it," he said firmly.

Then, before she could protest further, he reached toward the silk belt tied at her waist, loosening it as if to secure the sachet there himself.

Caelith instinctively tried to step back, but he held her in place with quiet strength. Bending slightly, he fastened the small charm against her sash.

As he did so, his fingertips brushed lightly against the soft curve of her waist.

That place was sensitive to begin with; the brief touch sent a sudden tremor through her body.

Rhaegar paused.

Then, deliberately leaning closer to her ear, he murmured in a low voice, "What are you afraid of? We have already done things far more intimate than this."

Caelith flushed with equal parts anger and embarrassment.

Yet this time, Rhaegar did not tease her further. He quickly finished tying the sachet into place.

"Remember this," he said quietly. "Anything Yvaine Emberlyn offers you to taste—do not take a single bite."

Caelith did not understand why he would suddenly say such a thing, yet she nodded instinctively.

Seeing her agreement, Rhaegar allowed a faint smile to touch his lips.

"Go back," he said at last. "Do not let Dorian grow suspicious."

Only then did Caelith fully recover her senses. She turned at once and hurried away.

When she returned to the waterside pavilion, Dorian was still deep in conversation with other guests and did not notice her absence.

Caelith resumed her seat quietly.

Almost unconsciously, her hand drifted to the sachet tied at her waist.

On the inner side of the small charm, engraved so delicately that it could easily be missed, was a single word.

Twilight.

Rhaegar Thorne...

Why would the word engraved upon it be Twilight rather than his own name?

Could it be someone else’s talisman? And if so, why had he given another person’s charm to her?

"My lady," Dolly said softly, offering her a cup of clear tea, "are you feeling better now?"

"Yes, a little," Caelith replied, forcing down the questions swirling in her mind.

Yet Rhaegar’s warning left her deeply unsettled. She found herself unable to enjoy the banquet; the longer she remained, the more uneasy she felt. Leaning slightly toward Dorian, she spoke in a low voice,

"My lord, I truly feel unwell. I would like to return home first."

A flicker of displeasure crossed Dorian’s eyes, though he did not insist she stay.

"Have the carriage take you back."

"How delicate our little sister is," Yvaine remarked deliberately, her tone dripping with mockery.

Caelith behaved as though she had not heard a word. Rising quickly, she took Dolly’s arm and left the Marquise Yonathan estate without another glance.

Yvaine watched her departure with growing fury.

She had been ignored outright.

***

After the flower-viewing banquet concluded, Yvaine returned to the Valehart estate with Dorian.

The moment she stepped into the small courtyard where she was staying temporarily, the pleasant smile on her face vanished, replaced by something cold and vicious.

With a sharp motion, she pulled the jeweled hairpin from her hair and flung it violently to the floor.

"My lady, please calm yourself!" Charlotte cried, dropping to her knees.

"I could tear that wretched Caelith’s face apart!" Yvaine hissed, her voice shaking with rage. "All she did was wear a single pretty gown, and yet Dorian praised her. Curse her!"

Charlotte bowed her head lower, speaking carefully. "Perhaps the lord merely offered a casual compliment. It may not mean anything."

"She is calculating," Yvaine snapped, recalling the look in Dorian’s eyes when he had spoken to Caelith. The jealousy burning in her chest only grew fiercer.

Charlotte quickly echoed her sentiment. "You are right, my lady. What woman would not crave her husband’s affection? She pretends indifference only because she is cunning."

"That woman relies solely on the fact that she is the lord’s lawful wife," Yvaine said bitterly. "She dares look down on me because of it."

Her eyes flashed with cold determination.

"I will make her reputation collapse entirely. I will make sure she can never raise her head again."

Charlotte hurried to caution her. "My lady, there are many eyes and ears in this household. You must not act rashly."

"I have already thought of a perfect plan," Yvaine said with a slow, chilling smile.

She leaned slightly closer to Charlotte.

"Tell me," she murmured, "could a woman who has lost her chastity still remain the lord’s lawful wife?"

Before coming to the Valehart estate, Yvaine had secretly taken a small packet of powder from her father’s study. Originally, she had intended to use it when sharing Dorian’s bed, to add a little... excitement to their private moments.

Now, however...

It seemed Caelith would benefit from it instead.

"When the truth comes to light," Yvaine continued, her smile widening, "Old Lady Valehart will never tolerate such disgrace. She will surely cast Caelith out of the estate."

Her voice turned almost gleeful.

"And then we shall see how that proud little sister of mine dares to look down on me again."

"And at that time," she finished softly, "I will become the rightful Lady Valehart."