Loren flinched and Hale’s smile widened, sharp and cruel. “What makes her so special? Is it the comforts she demanded for you?” He cast a disgusted look at Loren’s warmer clothes, the raised cot and the blanket he’d been given. “Or did she do something else to earn your voice?”
He waited a moment, sighing when Loren didn’t answer.
“Very well.” He rose slowly, twirling the iron dagger between his fingers. “If you won’t speak, then I suppose I’ll have to make you scream.”
The chains snapped taut. Loren gasped, biting back a curse as his back slammed into the cold stone, the iron manacles tearing into his raw wrist. He wouldn’t give Hale the satisfaction—not when Araya’s safety was at stake.
Hale just watched him for a moment, tilting his head like a collector studying a rare specimen. “Amazing, really,” he mused. “How quickly even a king can be reduced to…this.” He stepped forward, the blade gleaming dully in his hand. “Make this easy, Your Majesty. Tell me why she’s so important to you, and I’ll consider being…merciful.”
Loren said nothing.
“I didn’t think so.” Hale’s smile widened. “I suppose we’re going to find out how much pain you’re willing to take for her.”
Chapter
Nineteen
Araya stirred,the weight of sleep clinging to her as the dream dissolved like morning mist. For a moment, she was caught between worlds, her mind struggling to reconcile the surreal garden and its flowers that glittered like starlight with the slide of silk over her bare skin and Jaxon’s warmth against her back. His arm wrapped around her waist, unwilling to let her go, even in sleep.
She exhaled slowly, careful not to disturb him as she shifted, trying to ease the strange tightness that lingered in her chest. She couldn’t shake the last haunting image of the prince’s eyes. He’d been so sad…
Jaxon stirred, his grip on her waist tightening. “Are you all right, Starling?” he mumbled, the words almost lost in her hair.
“Just a dream.” Araya stroked his hand, letting his touch settle her. No matter how real the dreams were, they didn’t matter. She was awake now—and Jaxon was right here beside her. This was where she belonged.
“Nightmare?” He groaned, his voice still rough with sleep. “I should have had the servants make your tea—I’m sorry, Starling, I didn’t think of it.”
"Neither did I.” Araya leaned back into him, tilting her head just enough to graze his lips. “But I’m sure you’ll find a way to make it up to me.”
Jaxon hummed, his arms tightening around her as he trailed his lips from her temple down to her jaw. He lingered there, nibbling at her skin before claiming her lips. He kissed her lazily, warm and unhurried, like there was nowhere else for them to be and nothing else they could possibly want but this.
Araya melted into him, the ache in her chest easing as his touch chased away the last traces of the dream. Her magic stirred beneath her skin, flickering to life in response to his closeness—drawn to him always.
Jaxon pulled back, magic sparking between their lips. “Are you sure that was a nightmare?” He laughed, brushing her hair out of her face. Before she could answer, he was kissing her again—deeper this time, his hands sliding down her sides to pull her on top of him.
She gasped into his mouth, his touch igniting sparks that danced across her skin. The world around them fell away, narrowing to the heat of his body under her hands, the scent of him surrounding her as the slow drag of his fingers set fire to every nerve.
Then the door swung open without warning.
Jaxon swore, yanking the blankets over them in one swift motion. Araya yelped as she tumbled sideways, the heat between them shattering like glass.
“Didn’t they train you to knock?” Jaxon snapped.
“I—I did sir.” The young female hovered in the doorway, her eyes locked on the floor and her face flushed bright red all the way to the tips of her clipped ears. “Maybe you didn’t hear?—”
“What do you want?” Jaxon cut her off sharply.
The servant swallowed hard, holding out the stack of clothing in her arms. “Master Shaw—your father—wanted clothing delivered for…for your bond.” Her eyes flickered toward Araya, but she immediately looked away again. “I’m very sorry?—”
“It’s alright,” Araya said quickly, tugging the sheet higher overher chest. “Thank you—if you could just set it there, I can get it myself.”
The girl dipped her head in a quick nod, still avoiding Araya’s eyes.
“Master Shaw invites you both to breakfast,” she added, shifting her weight from foot to foot. “I-if you need anything else?—”
“We won’t,” Jaxon said, his voice flat. “Leave the clothes. You’re dismissed.”
The girl flinched, bobbing her head and all but tossing the bundle onto the chest at the foot of the bed before fleeing. The door clicked shut behind her, sealing the room in silence.
