Defend the Dawn (Defy the Night, #2)

by Brigid Kemmerer

I do know how much they all need. The outlaws Wes and Tessa once provided a lot to these people.

But now she’s in love with one of the leaders of the rebel faction, while I’m involved with the king’s brother.

Lochlan smirks. “Maybe you shouldn’t have walked out of the palace without guards,” he says. “Maybe she shouldn’t have,” says a voice behind me, “but I brought more than enough.” My heart kicks to hear Corrick’s voice.

Corrick’s eyes shift to me. I watch his gaze sweep over my form, taking stock of me.

I meet his eyes and see the warmth there. The kindness. The awareness. This is what he never allows anyone to see.

“I beg to differ. He’s lucky I didn’t have one of the guards put an arrow in his back for standing over you like that.”

“When I found the note in your chambers, yes, I was concerned. When the porters told me you’d left alone, yes, I was concerned.” He gives me a look. “One man glaring at me is a matter of course, Tessa.”

“That you’re important to me.” His hand brushes over mine. It’s uncommon for him to touch me in public. A blush heats my cheeks. “Well.” He smiles, and I feel that warmth all the way down to my toes. I’ve been at court long enough to know that a true smile from the prince is rare.

My stomach is tight, and I don’t know what to do. No matter who Corrick is to me, he’s the King’s Justice to everyone else. I can’t interfere.

Corrick and I could go for walks, or play games, or have a late dinner on the terrace. He could steal kisses in the moonlight, and I could taste his breath and remember what it was like to be in the Wilds, just the two of us against the dawn.

longing for his touch.

“What about you? Any frequent companions for the King’s Justice?” I’m trying to keep my tone light, but he holds my gaze, and I know he hears the true question there. “Ah, Tessa.” There’s something simultaneously wicked and warm in his eyes. “No one dared, until you.”

Tessa stands at my side, resplendent in deep green velvet that clings to every curve, a gown that allows a generous expanse of neckline.

I wish I could go back and erase the worry from her gaze. Are you frightened of me? She said nothing. But that said everything.

If Tessa and I were openly involved, she’d be more of a target. Then again, if we were openly involved, I’d drag her into my chambers and we wouldn’t leave for a week.

I smile and lean in to speak low, then risk brushing a finger along her chin. “In that dress, no one will be looking at your cutlery.” She flushes,

“Oh,” says Tessa, and there’s a note of intrigue in her voice that I absolutely cannot ignore. I look at her and raise my eyebrows. “Oh?” She hesitates. Her voice drops. “The sea captain isn’t what I expected.” “Hmm.” I drain my glass. A servant immediately hands me another.

“Hopefully we’ll be seated near each other. I’m eager to learn the truth.” She’ll be seated with me. I almost say it. I almost growl it.

I hate the prince, I often said to him as Wes—followed by I hate you, once I knew he was Corrick.

Under the table, Corrick’s hand finds mine, steady and warm. He gives it a squeeze.

Corrick is too schooled in courtly politics, at hiding every emotion when the need arises. I want to reach out and rest a hand over his, to offer him a glance or a word or something to steal the rest of his tension. When we were outlaws in the Wilds, it was so easy to support each other.

Instead, I keep replaying the moments when Captain Blakemore quite obviously captured Tessa’s attention. She’s so clever. So brave. So empathetic.

Jealousy isn’t an emotion that lodges in my brain very often.

The emotion isn’t about Captain Blakemore anyway. Not truly. I barely know him. It’s about everything I can’t be for Tessa.

“Are you truly unsure,” Harristan says, “or are you worried that he’s caught Tessa’s eye?” That’s so on point that I frown and look over. “Do you really think he’s caught her eye?”

“Which is why I believe you should bring Tessa, seeing as she’s willing to go.” My heart kicks,

“At dinner, you looked ready to take Captain Blakemore’s head off. I fully expected you to be spending the evening making Tessa forget that a ship even sailed into port.”

I set my jaw and turn away, glaring into the woods. I’ve taken too many chances tonight. “Forget what you saw.” “I don’t want to,” she says dreamily. “You’re more handsome than I imagined.” That’s so unexpected that it startles a smile out of me.

But now it’s dusk on the third day since the ship arrived, and I’ve hardly laid eyes on Corrick since the dinner with Captain Blakemore.

I need to look into Corrick’s blue eyes and hear the warmth in his voice. I need to erase the memory of the man on the floor of the candy shop, Corrick’s dagger stealing blood from his throat. I need to remember why we’re doing this together—why I trust him at all.

“Come home safe, little brother.” I give him a nod. “I promise. Be here when I get back.”

A knock raps at the door, and Kilbourne calls, “Miss Tessa. An audience has been—” My heart leaps. Oh thank goodness. He’s here.

He’s so uneasy. The worst part is that I don’t know what worries him the most. Leaving his brother? Going to Ostriary? Lochlan? Captain Blakemore?

Corrick lightly catches my waist.

hand lifts to stroke a stray lock of hair back from my cheek. “I’m so glad you’re here,” he says softly.

I want to touch him, but I hesitate, because I’m so used to guarding my emotions when I’m with him in public. But we’re alone.

His hands are still on my waist, but he’s not steadying me anymore—he’s holding me, which is altogether different.

I’m not sure if I make a sound or take a breath or if there’s just a spark in the air, but Corrick’s blue eyes seem to darken a shade, and then his mouth is on mine.

He smiles at my reaction, lifting his head to kiss me again. His arm snakes around my back to pull me even closer, and this time we’re clutched so tightly that I can feel everything.

He kisses me again, his fingers slipping under my corset in a way that makes me whimper into his mouth. “Hush,” he whispers, and a wicked light sparks in his eyes like we’re co-conspirators. “We shouldn’t give Rocco and Kilbourne too much to think about.”

He ducks his head, his eyes seeking mine. “Talk to me,” he says. Quietly. Gently. No command in his tone.

My cheeks are hot again, but I hold his gaze. “I don’t deserve to be treated like a secret, Corrick.” A muscle in his jaw twitches. I wish he would say something. I wish he would do something.

I want to go after her, but I don’t know what would undo this. A profession of love? A plea for forgiveness? Offering the kingdom on a string?

I kept hearing her voice from the moment he appeared in the dining room. Oh. It’s far too similar to the way she said the very same word when my fingers found the lacing to her— I force these thoughts to an abrupt halt. They’re going nowhere good.

A knock sounds at my door, and I whip my head around. My heart kicks. Maybe she’s come back. Maybe I have a chance to fix this.

I’m sure I’ll fight plenty more. I don’t want to disappoint him. I don’t want to disappoint Tessa. As usual, those two choices seem to be in opposition.

may have fallen in love with Tessa Cade, but as usual, I’m reminded that she didn’t fall in love with Prince Corrick, the King’s Justice. She fell in love with the outlaw Weston Lark. She fell in love with a man who doesn’t exist.

But now it’s morning, and he never came to my door. I expected him to apologize. Or … at the very least, to make amends.

My mouth still burns with the feel of his kiss.

Corrick’s eyes were wild, but his hands were warm and sure. Eager. Desperate. Wanting. And then it all fell apart. I don’t know if that’s my fault—or if it’s his.