Testament by Katie Ashley Page A

he questioned.
    “I suppose I do, sir.”
    “You don’t have to call me sir, Re-, uh, Cadence.”
    Cocking my head, “I’m sorry. I was merely doing what was expected of a lowly servant, like myself.”
    As soon as the words left my mouth, I cringed. It seemed whenever I was around Kellan, I let my mouth get the best of me even more than usual.
    Surprisingly, he chuckled. “That mouth of yours is dangerous.” There was a gleam in his eye that led me to believe there was innuendo behind his statement. It made me feel uncomfortable, so I thought it was best to change the subject.
    “Was it hard letting Venessa go? You know, since you loved her?” I asked.
    “Once again, you don’t hold out on anything, do you?”
    “Well, we are supposed to be getting to know each other, aren’t we?”
    Kellan shrugged. “I don’t know…I mean, I’m not sure I even know what love is.”
    I arched my eyebrows at him. “By your answer, I think you’re still evading the question.”
    He gave me a cocky grin. “I imagined you would appreciate that answer more than if I said guys like me don’t believe in love—we’re worshippers of lust instead.”
    “Really? Why, I had no idea someone of your alleged experience would be anything but a lover of the flesh.”
    Kellan laughed. “Trust me, Red, it isn’t alleged—it’s the real thing.”
    “Spare me.”
    “All right, all right. I’ll answer the question,” he said, holding his hands up in surrender. “Yes, I cared about Venessa. I guess I still do.”
    “Then why didn’t you fight for her?”
    Kellan snorted. “Right. Like my father would have ever allowed that.”
    “You could have tried. It might have meant something to Venessa to know how much you cared.”
    “She knew what kind of man my father was—hers is the same. We practically grew up together. Our families used to vacation together all the time.”
    “Ah, so it was easier for you to imagine yourself having a future with her since she was one of your kind?”
    “My kind?”
    “You know, wealthy and from the right kind of family and social standing.”
    “And I would imagine you know a lot of people working in the palace and in the fields who are from the right kind of families.”
    I shrugged. “Maybe they were at one time. But even before the Great Fall, they weren’t in your monetary leagues I’m sure.”
    “By your position in the palace, I wouldn’t think you came from too modest means.”
    “My parents were college professors. Their parents had been educated and did well for themselves. We had a nice home, and we went on nice vacations.” A lump formed in my throat. “We had a nice life,” I said in a whisper.
    Kellan studied my expression before he spoke. “I assume your parents are dead.”
    For a moment, I became speechless. I couldn’t tell him the truth that my parents had been killed in the religious rebellion. Kellan took pity on my hesitation and asked, “I guess they died in the Great Fall?”
    “Yes,” I murmured.
    “I’m very sorry about your parents, Cadence.”
    When I met Kellan’s gaze, there was such sincerity it took me off guard. “Thank you.” Without asking, I sunk down onto the emerald grass near the shoreline. To my surprise, Kellan eased down beside me.
    Stroking a blade a grass, he asked, “So, tell me something unusual about yourself—something that very few people know.”
    I laughed. “That sounds totally staged.” At Kellan’s surprised expression, I said, “Why do I get the impression this is some standard “date” question you’re asking all of us?”
    “Just answer the question, smartass,” Kellan retorted.
    I pointed my finger at him. “Tsk, tsk, you really need to work on your wooing skills.” I surveyed his amused expression, and then glanced up at the sky. “So, something that’s just me.”
    “It shouldn’t be that hard of a question, Cadence. After all, you’re far more complex than most of the girls I’ve