Beyond the Shadows Read Online Free PDF Page A

breath, more afraid than she’d been since she’d arrived here. Afraid she was going to soften toward him. She couldn’t do that and still betray him. She couldn’t.
    She lay back, his seed cooling between her legs. There was no hurry to get up. If he didn’t want her leaving her rooms, she’d have to ask for some things to keep her occupied: a book, some sewing supplies, ink, paper. He could afford to share such luxuries with her, surely.
    She’d bide her time. After all, it wasn’t as if she’d expected to make him love her immediately. No, she was a patient woman, and in the end, everything that happened would be worth the wait. Freeing Constantine would be worth everything she’d gone through to get to this point.
    Pride sang through her, and a smile tugged at her lips. Just as quickly, it fell. Con could be dead.
    She shoved the ugliness away. There was no use in thinking about it right now.
    Covered with Kai’s scent, she wallowed in the sheets, swimming in the silky softness. He could confine her to her rooms for weeks, and she’d be okay. Sooner or later, she’d do what she’d come to do. Until then, she’d do what he wanted her to do. Be who he wanted her to be.
    Suddenly ravenous, she pulled the breakfast tray to her and made short work of the eggs, thick bread, and bacon. The food was cold but still delicious. How many mornings had she awakened with only boiled coffee and porridge and thought she was in heaven? The orange juice was fresh and tasted of the sun, and she tossed it back like a good whiskey.
    Three hours later, after she’d taken a long bath in bubbly, scented water, tidied the rooms, and watched the activity below her third-floor window with some interest, she turned gladly at the knock on the door.
    It wasn’t him. He wouldn’t knock. “Come.”
    “I’ve brought your lunch, mi—Sarah.” Teddy bustled into the room with a loaded tray, followed by a young woman with a pitcher and a glass. “We’ll have someone up in a bit with some food and such, as Mr. Trinder ordered. Then you can make yourself something whenever you want, without waiting on mealtimes.” She pointed at the door leading to a small room that Sarah had already peeked into. “You can put all your supplies and extras in there.”
    “Would you ask for books and sewing supplies?” The fact that Kai sought books for his house was a pleasure she much appreciated.
    “You sew , miss!” Teddy put a hand to her chest. “How is it you escaped the needleworker’s hall in Springland ?” Her voice was a horrified whisper.
    Sarah could feel herself paling. “Oh, not well,” she said, hastily backtracking. “But I’ve been teaching myself.” She’d rather die right here and now than be sent to the needleworker’s hall to die a long, slow, agonizing death. Chances were slim that that would ever happen now. She would either die here trying to free Con, or escape with him to the shadows. Still, the thought of the needleworker’s hall scared her half to death.
    “I knit,” Teddy said, her smile proud.
    “Did you make the scarf you’re wearing?”
    “I did.”
    “It’s lovely.”
    Teddy hesitated. “I know you come from Springland , dear. Is it as bad as I’ve heard?”
    “Worse. I’m so happy to be here.” Near Con.
    Relieved that Teddy seemed not to have a suspicious bone in her body, Sarah sat on the bed, eager for her lunch. Her nudity bothered neither her nor Teddy, who was surely used to seeing naked girls in a house full of protected females. For an instant, a bothersome image of Kai between the legs of another woman flitted through her mind.
    “Bring your needles when you’re not working. I’d be glad of the company, and I’d love it if you could teach me a few things.”
    Teddy’s eyes lit up like fireworks were going off in her head. “Fantastic, miss!”
    Sarah shook her head. “I told you my name.”
    “Of course, and thank you.”
    “How long will he keep me confined?”
    Teddy took