Lerek stood and reached for her hand. She let him take it, threading his fingers in hers. “What did my father want?”
“It’s a secret.”
He snorted. “Really.”
Terena lifted her eyes and smirked. “I’ll share my secret if you share yours.”
He narrowed his eyes. “We’re playing games now? Is this what you want?”
She shrugged. “I think it’s interesting you would have me break my vow to your father, my emperor, and yet you don’t seem inclined to do the same.”
She wandered off toward the statue of Cronos across from their alcove. “What Icansay is I leave in the morning for Aurora.”
“Fine,” he said and strode toward her. He settled his hands on her hips. She turned her face up to meet his gaze. “I don’t want to fight with you. We have some time together, that’s enough for me. For now.”
She smiled, and he kissed the tip of her nose. “Will you do me a favor?”
Terena lifted an eyebrow and waited.
“When you’ve finished your business in Aurora, don’t go north. Stay in Aurora.”
“Why?”
Lerek dropped his chin, and she swore she saw him frown before he pasted on a smile. “I have a surprise for you.”
“A surprise for me in Aurora?”
“Aye.”
“What?”
Lerek smirked. “It wouldn’t be much of a surprise if I told you. Trust me, you’ll like this surprise.”
Terena groaned and pulled away, but Lerek grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him.
“Do you love me?”
“Aye.”
He bent his forehead to hers. “Stay in Aurora, then.”
“Fine. But you owe me.”
Lerek smiled wolfishly. “I do indeed, my love. And happy to repay as you see fit.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Clutching the note a servant had slipped into her hand while she was on her way back to her rooms to change for dinner, Sonah stopped in front of the doors to Prince Lerek’s rooms. She tapped her foot while enduring the Imperial Guard’s scrutiny before he opened the door and let her inside.
The antechamber was cool, the early spring breeze wafting in from the terrace on her left, and she smiled in greeting at an Imperial Guard just inside the room. He did not respond, staring at her with a stoic mask, and she rolled her eyes and strode toward the terrace.
Sonah shivered and folded her arms, hunching her shoulders as another chill breeze whipped her blonde hair off her shoulders. Looking around, she saw light from the fire pit to the right where the pergola’s white silk curtains floated. Squinting, Sonah saw Prince Lerek and straightened, taking a deep breath before proceeding toward him.
Pushing aside one of the billowing curtains, she stepped into the relative warmth of the pergola. Sitting on a large, cushioned wooden chair near the crackling fire, Prince Lerek stared into the dancing flames, arms resting on his knees. Uncertain, Sonah stood awkwardly and cleared her throat.
“Ah,” Prince Lerek said with a smirk when he looked up and saw her. “Little Changeling.”
Blinking, Sonah’s mouth hung open for a second before she launched forward, arms out and screeched, “Isher!”
