Power: Chapter 9

I didn’t realize that I had fallen asleep until someone gently shook me awake. I blinked open my eyes, and my vision became blurred. Still, trying to see who it was that woke me up, I saw the duke above me. “Your grace!” I gasped, and struggled to get up. Then I blinked, realizing that it wasn’t Duke Alexander.

“Easy,” Alan said, trying to smile. “How long were you down here?”

I stared at him for a second, slightly disturbed at how similar he and Duke Alexander looked, then I looked around and realized that the sky was dark. I stiffened. “How long have I been here? What time is it?”

“It’s a little before the midnight bell,” Alan replied. “Galen came and got me.”

I scrambled up, muttering an oath under my breath. “I have to report to Sir Daniel!” I tripped as I tried to get up. Alan quickly caught me, and I fell against his chest. My breath caught in my throat, as I slowly looked up to Alan’s jade-green eyes, right above me. I had never really noticed how green they were, and I realized at that moment that green was my favorite color...

He leaned in a little, watching me. I held my breath, staring up at him. At the last moment, he looked away and I stepped away from him, looking anywhere but him, my mind reeling with confusion. Was he about to kiss me?

“So, uh, you should, uh, report to Daniel,” Alan said, sounding a little unsteady.

I felt that way myself. “Yeah, I should,” I said quietly, and left, my mind filled with unanswered questions.

Would I have kissed him back?