“Only for you,” she breathed.
She could feel him smiling when he finally kissed her. And for a moment, she forgot they were on the balcony, in full view of his men, the sun beating against their skin as a spotlight on their public display.
It didn’t matter how many times he’d kissed her before, every time, she found herself surprised by the fluttering in her stomach, the honey warmth radiating over her skin, the skipping of her heart…
But the noise of catcalls and howls from the clearing below echoed in her ears, and she felt his hand leave her waist. She pulled back to find him making an obscene hand gesture at his men, and she laughed at the grinning faces on all the people below.
“Ignore them.” His voice tickled her ear. She found Balandria in the crowd, and the woman raised her drink to her and then took a sip.
“I certainly didn’t think you’d be getting this response for my being here,” she said as he pulled back to see his face.
“I told you they liked you,” he insisted. He took a step back and let her go, simply holding onto her hands as he gave her a full once over. “You’re a mess,” he joked. “What is happening with your hair?”
Her stomach knotted at his banter, heart enlarging in her chest so that she inhaled another jagged breath. “I’m sorry. Does my morning appearance not live up to the Venari standard?”
He laughed and he pulled her back to him. “Exceeding it,” he said against her lips.
For a moment, he simply held her there, his eyes darting over her face as she wrapped a finger against his stubbled cheek.
“Will you join us for breakfast?” he asked.
She swallowed hard and avoided his gaze a moment. He squeezed her hands.
“No pressure,” he insisted. “Only if you’re up for it.”
Her stomach rumbled, and she squeezed his hands back. “Can I bathe first?” she asked.
He reached up and pulled a leaf from her hair, twirling it between his fingers in front of her. “Probably a good idea.”
It was the breakfast she didn’t know her core craved.
But as she stared around them, enjoying her time with their smiling faces, she was reminded of her youngers, and for a moment she felt her jaw tighten at the thought of them being back at the castle.
After breakfast, a few of Draven’s men came up to him with things they needed his help with.
“Yeah, I’m coming. Two minutes,” he told them before turning back to her. “I have some things I need to take care of. After, I’m yours.”
“Oh—” She had not expected him to think she wanted him to stop his duties for her. “Take your time, please. You’re still king. I dare not take away from your duties and your people,” she insisted. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“What will you do?” he asked.
She shrugged and looked around them. “It’s a beautiful day. Perhaps I’ll take a walk. Get my feet dirty.”
His eyes narrowed just slightly, but he didn’t protest. “Okay.”
Her brows narrowed. “Okay? That’s it? No ordering someone to look after me or—”
“Should I have?” he asked, clearly confused by her question.
“Ah… no, no, it’s just…”
He pulled her close and kissed her forehead, making her cease her ramblings. “You’re not in Magnice anymore, Drae,” he said. “You can go wherever you like. Just be careful of the forest tricks.” He leaned in and kissed her fleetingly before turning on his heel. “Oh—” he paused mid-stride and held up a finger “—and don’t listen to the nymphs.”
She frowned. “The nymphs?” she repeated.
“Yeah. Tiny things. I’m sure you’ll be fine. Just swat them like flies. And—” he pulled his knife from his belt and tossed it into her hands “—just in case.”
She stared at the knife in her hands. “Wait—what?” she called as he turned on his heel again and started walking faster.
