12. The Imposter

12

The Imposter

H er captor took a step forward. His footfalls sounded heavy against the floor.

Nerves fluttered across Tella's chest. She still couldn't see him. Everything was dark beneath the blindfold. But she could somehow feel his long shadow falling over her, coating her in the same kind of dark magic he'd used in the theater.

She knew how to resist falling under the spell of magic. Legend had taught her several tricks. But then she felt her captor's knuckles, warm against her cheek. They grazed a confident line down to her jaw and every thought in her mind went blank.

"I was told you wanted to see me." His deep voice was laced with mocking.

"I can't see you with a blindfold on," Tella said tartly. At least, that's what she attempted to say. It came out more like Mmmmmggglelelemmm as she tried to speak through the gag tied over her mouth.

"What was that?" Her captor's deft fingers moved to her lips. She felt the pressure of them over the gag. Slow and deliberate, he dragged his fingers across the seam of her mouth.

Then she felt his other hand boldly wrap around her waist and toy with the edge of her corset.

"You want me to take this off?" he murmured.

Tella froze. She wasn't sure if he was talking about the gag or the corset. He definitely wasn't talking about the blindfold. But she was almost painfully aware of the hand on the bottom of her corset.

His fingers tugged at the ribbons holding it together.

Pull away, she told herself. But she had nowhere to go. Her back was pressed against the door, and his fingers were now dipping under the corset, sending dangerous sparks across her skin.

She shook her head, reminding him it was the blindfold she wanted removed.

"You sure about that?" He stroked her stomach once.

Tella sucked in a sharp breath.

He chuckled. Then he pulled away abruptly. Seconds later, both of his hands reached around the back of her head and easily untied the gag.

The fabric fell away from her lips.

"Better?" he asked.

"I'd prefer it if you removed the blindfold, too."

"You think I let just anyone see who I am?"

She felt him lean in closer until his lips were brushing the shell of her ear.

"I think you're not the real Legend," she taunted, or she tried to sound taunting. Her voice might have cracked when she felt his teeth gently bite her earlobe.

Her stomach tumbled.

"I'm in love with someone else," she blurted.

"I think I can change your mind about that." His soft mouth skated lower, skimming along her jaw.

Tella's breathing turned shallow. With her hands still tied, there was little she could do—except snap her teeth at him. Clack.

He laughed and pulled his treacherous mouth away.

"You're cute." He pressed a quick finger to the center of her lips in a gesture that seemed to mimic a brief kiss. "But if a girl wants me to take off her blindfold, then she has to be more than cute."

"So, you bring lots of blindfolded girls back here?" she asked sharply.

"Do you really want to talk about other girls right now?" he purred.

She could still feel his magic.

It moved across her skin in tiny fireworks that intensified when he put a hand on the curve of her hip.

"What are you doing?" she breathed.

"I thought it was a tradition to unwrap presents?" His hand slid lower.

Tella gasped and darted to the side.

"Nice try." Her kidnapper grabbed the ribbons of her corset, spun her around, and pulled her to him.

Her back pressed against his chest.

He smelled deliciously good. Like cold nights with hints of trees and of rain.

Not that she inhaled. Much.

She tried to wriggle free, but one of his arms banded around her torso, keeping her pressed against him. His shirt was soft where it touched her skin. Although she wasn't intentionally leaning in. He held her so close it was impossible not to feel his chest and his arms and the hand he was now sliding into her hair.

"What are you doing?"

His fingers moved through her curls. She felt him pulling out feathers and pins until her curls cascaded down her back.

"Much better," he murmured.

"I didn't give you permission to do that."

"I don't think you understand how being a captive works, love. You don't have to give me permission for anything." His knuckles skated across her cheek before he brought his hand around the back of her head and tightened the blindfold.

"What do I have to do to get you to remove the blindfold?" she asked.

He made a sound too dark to be a proper laugh. "If you want it off, you'll have to earn it."

"How do I earn it?"

"I'll give you one guess."

Tella tried to think. It was difficult with the way that she was tangled up in the arms of her kidnapper. But when she finally forced herself to clear her mind, it really didn't take much thought. If the Legendary Master of Caraval had kidnapped her, then she knew exactly what he would want. "You want to play a game?"

"If you win, I'll remove the blindfold."

"And you'll untie me," she added.

"That wasn't part of the original bargain."

"We haven't finished bargaining."

"You're lucky I'm bargaining with you at all."

"You can't leave me tied up," Tella protested.

"Given our present situation, I think that I can do whatever I like with you." One of his hands dropped to her leg.

A soft, nervous sound escaped her lips.

"However," he added, his tone turning playful, "since it is almost a holiday, if you win, I promise to untie you. But if you lose, the ropes stay on, and so does the blindfold. I think that a captive princess would make a great Caraval attraction, don't you agree?"

"Oh no," Tella said. "I think you're mistaken. I'm not really a princess."

This earned her another low laugh. "If you're not truly a princess, then I'm not really Legend." He spoke against her jaw, lips brushing the delicate skin as the hand on her leg—

A loud knock rattled the door. "Master, sir!" called an unfamiliar voice.

Her captor made an irritated sound.

"This better be important," he grumbled.

"It's something I think you'll want to see," said the voice.

"Too bad for us." Her captor pressed his lips to Tella's cheek and gave her a quick kiss. "I'll see you tomorrow, princess."