“No. I tend to keep that particular shield firmly in place, cutting off their ability to sense me.”
“Why?” I ask, and I also want to askhow,but I’ll save that question for another time. Until it’s something I actually need to learn because I haven’tsensedany other fire wielders, and I’m prettysure that means they haven’t been able to sense me, either. I’m not strong enough, at least not yet.
“I am the prince, Serafina. And when that pathway is fully opened, sometimes others can take more than you’re willing to give. And there are certain things I must keep private. Certain matters that others can never know about.”
I don’t dare ask what because what would be the point? Other than to once again hear him sayI can’t tell you.Ryjax likes his secrets. A little too much if you ask me.
“What’s the weather like today?” I ask instead because if I can’t feel it, I want to at least know about it.
“Are you…making small talk?” He raises his brows.
“Of course not,” I scoff. “I just…miss it. I’ve never spent so many hours, so manydaysinside. I miss the sun. And so does my skin.”
I hold up my arms to prove my point. They seem chalkier. Less tan and clearly hating that they’ve been denied their favorite thing.
“I’m sorry, Serafina.”
“I don’t need you to be sorry. What I need is for you to describe the weather. Describe the garden to me. The garden where Ishla picked berries from this morning.” I close my eyes, and I can hear him chuckle.
“And what exactly is it you’re doing?”
“Visualizing. Now, go ahead.”
He’s silent for a moment, and I feel foolish for even asking, but then the bed creaks, moves with the motion ofhim, and I can’t be positive with my eyes closed, but Ithinkhe’s lying next to me. And when he finally speaks, and I hear the smooth rumble of his voice, I know that he is.
“The gardens are vibrant,” he begins slowly, as if preparing to paint the scene with every word, every flick of his tongue andmovement of his lips. “The early morning rain has settled into the earth, dampening the soil. But the sun is out, sitting high above the clouds, its heat brushing the surface, the kind of warmth that wraps around you, sinking into your skin.”
I can almost feel it, the warmth he speaks of, the warmth Icrave,and my fingers twitch, yearning to touch the world he describes.
“There are flowers blooming everywhere,” he continues, his tone steady, almost melodic. “Bright reds, soft yellows, deep purples. Their petals still glistening with droplets of rain. The wind is light, a gentle breeze, just enough to make the leaves rustle, but the trees hold firm, bordering both sides of the stone path. Unwavering. Unyielding.”
His voice lowers a fraction, and I’m aware of every breath he takes, every swallow, and small movement, and suddenly, my throat feels dry.
“There’s a fountain in the center. You can hear it over everything. The water falls in a steady rhythm, never stopping, never faltering. It’s a sound I could listen to for hours. It’s peaceful there, but it also feels alive.”
I let out a soft hum, letting the image settle over me. “I wish I could see it,” I whisper, the words slipping out before I can stop them. “Feelit.”
He’s silent again, and I open my eyes, turning my head to look at him.
He’s closer than I thought he’d be, propped on one elbow. His gaze feels heavy. Heavy and far more serious than I expected.
“After dark, when the guards are few, and the castle is asleep.”
“What?” I sit up, unable to process his words with my face so close to his.
“I’ll come for you then, and I’ll show you the gardens.”
“Promise me,” I say, my voice barely audible. “Promise you mean it.”
His jaw tightens, and for a moment, I think he won’t. I think he’ll deny me this thing I want, this thing Ineed. But then he nods—just once—and says, “I promise.”
My chest heaves.
My pulse quickens.
Because tonight…I get to go outside.
Chapter 14
