Lex was squeezing her hands, concerned about her mother’s distrust of Garrin, when he walked up to her.
“Everything okay?”
She nodded. “Thank you for keeping us warm.”
He glanced around. “I wish it were more. For now, this will have to do.” He waved his hand to the side, and a large fire roared inside the circle of stones he’d built.
Light flickered off his handsome profile, and her resolve strengthened. He might be an Ice Prince, as her mother said, but he was an Ice Prince who created fire. He wasn’t this cold shell of a person Isle believed him to be.
Her mother stood just outside the central firepit, arms crossed, studying Lex and watching everything that passed between her and Garrin.
Garrin caught Lex looking at her mother. “What has happened?”
Lex huffed out a sigh. “Isle believes you’ll hurt me.”
His brow furrowed ever so slightly. “Is that your opinion?”
She held his gaze. “You would never hurt me.”
He let out a deep breath and reached for her hand. “Nor will I allow harm to come to you.” He looked around at the others talking quietly in small groups while Camille slept to regain her portal abilities. “Will you rest a while with me?”
Lex swallowed. Rest, as in lie down? Next to him?
What was she thinking? She’d slept beside Garrin for weeks. This was no different.
Only it felt different. Now that they were in Dark Kingdom, Lex was not only strongly aware of her physical attraction to Garrin, but also her emotional connection to him as well. Lying beside each other alone left room for those feelings to manifest into something more.
Camille was passed out in a corner, and Zirel and Amund quietly talked near the entrance of the cave. Jas and the others had moved to the central firepit and sat around it in quiet discussion. “Where should we go?”
Garrin led her toward the back of the main cave, down the narrow passageway, and to the alcoves where Lex and Em had changed. He gestured to one of them. “Here?”
Lex entered, and Garrin walked to the back. He took off his coat and splayed it on the hard ground. His gaze grew hooded. “I would like to hold you, if that is all right?”
“We don’t have to pretend to be engaged. You don’t have to pretend to-to like me,” she stammered. “Everyone here knows who I really am.”
He studied her. “There is nothing fanciful about my feelings for you. You know that by now, yes?”
“Do I?”
He looked away. “I took you from your home and nearly got you killed, not to mention the danger you face inside my kingdom. I suppose you wouldn’t.” He stood and moved to her, gently pulling her closer. Lex was tall, but Garrin was easily a foot taller. “I should have predicted my father’s spies inside the castle. I know how his mind works. I am sorry for the trouble I have caused you.”
“Spies?”
He glanced at the entrance of their small cave and beyond, where the others resided. “Not Em, as far as I can tell.” He tilted his head. “You know, she has asked to be your lady. She no longer wishes to be a part of my court, but a member of yours.”
Lex laughed. “Court? I’m not royalty.”
He gave her a slow, leisurely look that ended on her mouth. “You are a queen in my eyes.”
“That was super cheesy.” She licked her suddenly dry lips. “Are you trying to seduce me?”
“Only if you want to be seduced.” His finger grazed her jaw, causing a flurry of sparks inside her chest.
“I might,” she said in a breathy voice. What was the Dark Prince doing to her?
Garrin waved his hand at the entrance, and an ice partition formed, blocking off the smaller cave.
She felt it. The magic that rushed through him when he drew on his powers and touched her at the same time. “Wow.”
