She wiggled her temporary wings. “I… I guess I’m full of surprises.”
He blinked those arresting golden eyes and retreated along the broad branch of the tree. “I wanted to see you again.”
That admission made her stomach quiver, and she shifted on the branch, her blood racing when their eyes met. Her tongue felt thick as she responded. “I hoped to see you again too. These meetings, they’re becoming a habit.”
His impossibly full lips twitched, and he peered at her from under half-lowered lids. “I hope I didn’t scare you. I didn’t know it was you.”
She braced her hands on the trunk behind her. “I was startled, but I don’t feel I’m in any danger with you. After all, aren’t you here to guard me?”
“It is my duty.” He blessed her with the full force of his smile.
“I feel safer already.” She glanced down at the water below them and then back up at him, but the warm ache he inspired didn’t lessen in the least. “Where did you learn to do that? You moved so fast. Had I been an enemy, I would have surrendered immediately.”
His expression grew serious. “I trained as a warrior since my youth. It is the way of my people, and it’s why Hera asked me to guard the gate.”
That surprised her. She’d assumed he’d always been here. A creation of the gods. “You’re not from here? I mean, originally?”
“No. In fact that book I gave you,The Saddle of Arythmetes, it is from my home world.”
“You’re from Paragon?” It made sense now, but she’d never put it together.
He inclined his head. “Medea… do you mind that I come to see you as often as I do? It has been a long time since I’ve had… a friend, if I can call you that, and I find myself in need of one today.”
She licked her bottom lip, the smile fading from her face as she digested his words. “I’m glad you came. And I am your friend. I’ve enjoyed our meetings more than I can say.”
He glanced down at the rippling pool. “If I tell you something, can you keep my secret?”
“The Guardian at the Gate has a secret? I’m intrigued.”
“I am serious, Medea. You can tell no one. Not even your sisters.” He shook his head.
“I won’t tell anyone.” She sensed now the gravity of his secret and reached across the branch to take his hand in hers. Touching him was far better than looking at him. Heat radiated from his skin and seemed to travel through her body, hot enough to melt the top off a box full of butterflies that now fluttered madly inside her. She tried not to fixate on the smooth edge of his jaw. “You can trust me, Tavyss. I can see something is bothering you. Tell me.”
He squeezed her hand. “I wasn’t always the Guardian at the Gate. Before… in Paragon… I was supposed to be king.”
She blinked rapidly, her gaze snapping from his mouth to his eyes. “Excuse me, did you sayking?”
He stared at their coupled hands. “I am the eldest heir to the kingdom of Paragon on a world called Ouros. I was destined to rule as co-regent alongside my sister.”
“But… but then why are you here? Why aren’t you ruling your kingdom?”
“I didn’t want to be king.” With one hand, he rubbed his eyes and frowned. “No, that’s not exactly true. I didn’t want to rule with my sister. Eleanor is cruel and vicious. You’ve never known a viler person.” His lips tightened into a scowl. “She and my younger brother took turns making my life a living hell in the palace. The idea of ruling by her side for two thousand years per our custom made me long to give up my immortality just to escape the obligation. It felt more like a prison sentence than my destiny.”
She rubbed her thumb over his hand. “You agreed to help Hera here, to escape your destiny?”
He nodded. “As my coronation drew near, I ran away. Left Paragon and traveled to a remote island north of the five kingdoms.” He shook his head. “You have no idea what I’m talking about, do you?”
“I do! I’ve read the book you gave me. The five kingdoms of Ouros are Paragon, Darnuith, Everfield, Nochtbend. I don’t remember the last one.”
“Rogos, the kingdom of the elves.”
His long lashes fluttered in the most mesmerizing way, and thankfully he changed course. “I met Hera on an island called Kryptos, north of Paragon, in the realm of the gods. She offered me an escape. I have food, a home, a nymph who sews and cleans for me, work. And I am free from the expectations of my birth.”
“If this is what you wanted, what vexes you now? Or are you trying to woo me with your title?” She arched a brow.
The dimple was back, and his amber eyes twinkled mischievously. “I believe I would like to woo you, Medea, but you don’t strike me as the type to be moved easily. I do not believe wealth or prestige would suit your fancy.”
A smile spread her lips wide. How could he know her so well already? “I’ve never had any use for either.”
