Curse of Shadows and Light by Penelope King Read Free Book Online

times. The corner of her mouth turns up in a smirk. “That’s not entirely true. There is a stench of evilness and death on him that isn’t present on you. Nevertheless, I knew what I was getting into allowing demions on my lands. Doesn’t mean I have to like it. But you will keep your distance.”
    “ Ma’am, we are grateful for your hospitality, and I’m happy to follow any rules or instructions while staying here that will make you more comfortable. I didn’t know I wasn’t welcome—”
    “ Well, now you know. I was quite explicit with Lucky last night. Is there a communication problem here?”
    I roll my eyes to the side. “You could sorta say that,” I mutter. I take a deep breath. “Look, we’re sorry. We weren’t intentionally trying to do something you don’t want us to do. Lucky can be… well… she’s a moody pain in the ass sometimes, and sometimes messages don’t get through. The only thing she managed to pass on is that Tatiana is really alive and well. Thanks for that, by the way,” I add with a glare.
    She shrugs, unmoved. “Had to be done. But you passed the test. Much better than I expected, I might add. But don’t take that to mean you have free reign here.” She turns to Kieron. “You may not come any closer than this row of plants here, all the way over to the tree line over there. You are not welcome in or around my house. You have full use of the guesthouse, but you must only use the private beach access for your comings and goings. If you are spotted or raise any suspicions, my protection of you will be immediately lifted and you will be expelled in the most painful way. The entire property will become off limits to you.”
    Kieron nods earnestly and brushes his hair from his eyes. “Yes, ma’am, I understand. And I do thank you for taking us in and for allowing us to stay in your guesthouse. But what about Liora?”
    “ What about her?”
    “ Are you going to hurt her if she makes any sort of mistake or steps in the wrong place?”
    Anastasia purses her lips. “Not while she is human. She’s fine.”
    I glance at Kieron, and he shuffles his feet. “How do I know that for sure?” he presses. “You haven’t exactly rolled out the red carpet for us.”
    She gives a dainty chuckle and raises an eyebrow. “Because, demon, if I didn’t want her here, she wouldn’t be here. If I’d wanted to hurt her, I would’ve done so already. I promised my sister I’d help her if I deemed her worthy. So I’ll keep my word. However, you were nowhere in that deal.”
    Kieron looks at me for a moment, and then turns back to her. “Fair enough. If I may be so bold as to ask for one other favor. We need supplies— food, some toiletries and other essentials. We’d like to make a trip into town today to stock up so as not to put anyone out. We will be very discreet.”
    Anastasia gives a curt nod. “I’ll make arrangements with my driver to take you. I do not want any record of you coming or going from my estate.”
    “ Thank you.” Kieron turns to me. “Will you be okay?”
    I nod. I really wish he could stay with me, but we’re at Anastasia’s mercy and must obey her wishes. And obviously she doesn’t want him around.
    “ I’ll be fine,” I assure him.
    His gaze briefly locks with mine before he leans in to give me a quick, soft kiss. “I’ll go down and join Corrine on the beach. Meet you back at the cottage later.”
    I give his hand a squeeze.
    He glances back at Anastasia and nods politely. “Ma’am.”
    She ignores him and returns to her pruning.
     
    ********
     
    “ You’re nothing like her, you know. I mean you sorta look the same, in this really weird opposite way… but you’re nothing like her.”
    I’m sitting on a marble bench watching as Anastasia floats around her rose bushes, carefully scrutinizing each and every petal before trimming the fullest blooms and placing the long stems into a shallow, rattan basket. She moves to a bush with roses of the