The water crashed against the pool below. Foam-topped waves bubbled and spread. My feet settled more firmly on top of the Elysian cliff and I felt my blood simmer and churn just like the water below.
I spread my arms to the sides, straight out, and let the wind catch me and threaten to blow me away. The water sprayed my face and my clothes. My heart pounded. My head buzzed with an unfamiliar energy.
Ifeltlike a queen on this cliff. I felt like I ruled the world.
I lifted my face toward the sky as the sun set beyond the horizon. Night fell. Stars came out of hiding and twinkled above like a million priceless diamonds. And all the while the water roared beneath my feet, gliding toward the pool where it would spin and dance and become something greater.
It would grow from a tiny droplet to a formidable body of water. Into something dangerous.
When I finally turned around, ready to become my own intimidating, daunting creature, I found Taelon propped against a tree, with his arms crossed over his chest.
“It’s late,” I commented inanely. “I hadn’t realized. I lost track of time.”
As I walked closer, I noticed that his expression had changed from earlier. He was no longer teasing and warm, but something else entirely. Something scorching hot.
His blue eyes had deepened and his mouth had turned into what was not quite a smile, but was most certainly not a frown.
He shrugged one broad shoulder and said, “As did I.”
I cleared my throat. “They’ll be worried about us if we do not return soon.”
He pushed off the tree and held a hand out for me. I had taken his hand or his elbow countless times before, but this time, I couldn’t help but feel frightened. And I had every right to.
For as soon as my fingers touched his palm, energy danced up my arm and settled in my stomach, setting butterflies flying and my heart racing. I jumped back. Taelon didn’t let go. He held onto my hand, pulling me closer to him.
“Tessana, you are by far the most exquisite sight I have ever beheld. I believe I will never forget you on that cliff. I will never lose the image of your hair blowing in the breeze, your cape stretched out behind you, your arms flung to the side. I am afraid you have so imprinted this image in my mind that I will compare all other beauty to you. You stole my breath, my reason. You are enchanting. Beyond anything I could have imagined you would become.” My chin trembled as his thumb brushed over my bottom lip. “Where did you go up there? What were you thinking?”
My chest lifted with the effort to breathe. His words soaked into my skin and heated my blood until I was worried it would turn to fire and consume me from the inside out. “I think I went somewhere else entirely. I think I might havebecomesomething else entirely,” I admitted.
He leaned in. “Stay with me, here. Stay where I can protect you from your uncle and the Ring of Shadows and all of the other terrifying beasts in this world.”
I blinked up at him, my lashes heavy with droplets of water. His face looked so earnest and I knew his heart; I could feel it in the pulsing around me, in the depth of his tone and flashing of his eyes. He would protect me. He would do anything to keep me safe. But that wasn’t my destiny.
I reached for Taelon and spread my hand along the harsh line of his jaw. “You ask me these things knowing I must return. You, of all people, know I cannot stay safely hidden while the realm burns.”
He leaned into my hand. “Somehow when you’re around, I forget about everything else. The rest of the realm’s problems seem to disappear until there’s only you, shining so brightly.”
I smiled. I couldn’t help it. I wasn’t sure if Taelon had intended to make me fall for him so completely, but he had.
“But you agree with me. We must see to the realm. We must right all of these wrongs.”
He nodded, letting my hand scrape along his short scruff. His eyes opened and I sucked in a sharp breath at the full intensity of those sapphire eyes. “When will you leave?”
“Tomorrow if I can.”
His jaw flexed but he did not argue. “I shall ride with you then. And my guard. The road to Elysia is not an easy one. And more, you’ll need my word to see your uncle. The crown will not be enough.”
“Alright,” I consented. “And you’ll be ready tomorrow morning?”
“Whenever you need me, Tessa, I will be ready.”
My spirit swelled. “Thank you, Taelon. Thank you for all that you have done for me.”
One side of his mouth kicked up in a cocky half smile. “Does this mean I’m forgiven for all my deceit?”
I laughed and jumped from his arms. “Absolutely not!” I declared. “I shall never forgive you for that! You shall pay penance for the rest of your life, Rebel King.”
He followed me to the horse. “Then so be it! I will gladly pay penance to the Queen of the Realm if only to have a reason to spend time in her presence for as many days as she’ll let me.”
