Shapeshifters by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes Read Free Book Online

his eyes. “I remember thinking you were as striking as the chaste Greek goddess of the hunt. I was young. And I wasn’t a killer—not then, anyway. I had never killed before, and I couldn’t start by destroying something so exquisite. I reached out to touch your cheek.”
    I was trapped in his story, trapped in thecool voice and hypnotic eyes. As Zane spoke, he reached out, brushing fingertips over the soft skin of my cheek. His hands were cool but not cold, the touch as light as a snowflake’s kiss. Even the contact of skin on skin, so unusual among my own kind, could not pull me from the spell.
    â€œYou cried out in your sleep and pulled away from me. And then I saw the cut on your cheek, right here. Your arm had another slice, like you had been in a fight.” As he spoke, he traced the phantom injuries, which had long since healed. I suddenly knew exactly the time he was speaking about, remembering as if it had been yesterday: It was the day Vasili was killed. Only quick action from the rest of the Royal Flight and the defensive tactics Rei had taught me had saved my own life.
    Zane’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. “For a moment I wanted more than anything just to take you into my arms, but you had pulled away from me once already, and I was afraid of frightening you. I told myself I hated you.” His voice remained gentle despite the words, as he trailed fingers through my hair. “But it wasn’t true. You weren’t responsible for the fighting. You weren’t able to stop it any more than I was.”
    â€œWhy are you telling me this?” My voice seemed very far away.
    Zane spilled onto his knees, which brought him abruptly closer to me; my breath hitchedsharply with surprise, but the way I was sitting kept me from jumping away.
    â€œYou didn’t start this war, Danica, and neither did I,” Zane stated. “It’s been going on for so long it’s meaningless; people fight because they don’t know what else to do. People fight because their leaders fight, and then their leaders are killed, so they have more reason to go on.” His hands touched mine as if he could not help but reach out. “Danica, my sister Irene is carrying a child. She was white with fear when she told me. It’s an event that should bring joy … but everyone in my family just remembers an avian soldier plunging his knife into my oldest sister’s swollen belly.” I started to speak, but he put a finger against my lips. “No apology is necessary from you, Danica.” Again the gentle caress of hands running through my hair as he explained, “I am going back to the royal hall tomorrow evening. My mother, sister and guards will not be there to argue with the Disa and me. I hope you’ll be there, and that you’ll listen to what she has to say. What she suggests … it might work. I’m just asking you to give the idea a chance.”
    Giving that particular idea a chance sounded akin to giving suicide a chance, and I knew Zane saw my hesitation.
    â€œPlease, Danica,” he said. “You sang to my brother of peace and hope. I can’t believe thatyou aren’t as desperate for those things as I am. Just … try.”
    Somehow, I found myself nodding. “I will try,” I answered finally, struggling not to think of how Zane knew the details of those long hours on the battlefield. He ignored my uncertainty.
    â€œThank you.” He stepped forward so suddenly, his lips a brief, gossamer touch on my cheek, that I let out an unintended cry.
    That shout, louder than our hushed voices, brought two of the Royal Flight instantly into the room.
    Zane tensed, backing away from me as well as from my guards, and I could see his garnet eyes flashing as they looked for a way out. Insanely, I stepped between Zane and the Royal Flight, though Rei moved forward as if to stop me.
    â€œThere’s no trouble here,” I