The Shadows Between Us

by Tricia Levenseller

But I would not allow myself to die in the grave I’d dug.

He swallows the bite in his mouth. “Alessandra Stathos, that’s positively despicable.” He says the words like they’re the highest compliment he can give me. “You are an absolute gem, do you know that?” My whole body warms at the praise.

The poets can say whatever they damned like. A woman’s worth is not decided by what’s between her legs but by what is in her mind.

“And should I fear you?” I ask. “Never.”

“Have you ever been in love?” “No,” he says. “Not ever. What’s it like?” “Horrible.”

“You said I wasn’t beautiful enough to be tempting,” I remind him. He takes his napkin from his lap and brushes his fingers against it. “I lied. You’re the most stunning thing to ever set foot in my palace.”