Rollie nodded, staring at his hand like it might become red before his eyes before turning abruptly back to Topp. “How do you know that? She didn’t say anything.”
He stared out at the blue sky with one hand shading his eyes, smiling at the sight. “The way she looked at you. Was obvious.”
Rollie reared back, his voice vaguely uncertain. “You couldn’t possibly know that.”
Topp sighed, dropping his hand and looking at him. “You’re gonna have to trust me on this one.”
Based on the intense expression on Rollie’s face, the prince had finally found one thing he was smarter at than the genius beside him. He pointed up at the temple. “So, we’re starting with the original temple of pleasure then? That’s one way to ease a heartbreak,” he muttered with his focus drifting over to the temple’s entrance.
Rollie’s gaze snapped to him. “She finally dumped you? Took her long enough.”
Topp let out a long, slow breath, refusing to look at his new travel companion. “Nice, Rollickus, thanks for the tender care. And no—actually I don’t know.” Now that he thought about it, he wasn’t really sure when they had officially ended things. The night on the beach? In Bellia? It didn’t matter either way.
“That doesn’t make sense.”
Topp stripped out of his heavy coat, folding it over his arm. “No shit.”
“You couldn’t possibly have been the one to end it.”
He began to walk up the sand-covered steps. “Unlike you, she did actually like me, you know. Lys and I had a lot of fun before it all went to shit.”
Rollie looked at him as they heaved themselves up the large steps. Sun beating down, he squinted at the prince, shaking his head. “She fell for the carefree, responsibility-avoiding prince who was never going to come near her secrets and escaped with her to the woods. You fell for the compliant girl who was happy to keep her distance and never asked for more.” He wiped sweat off his pink forehead. “But Elysia isn’t compliant, she’ll lie to your face and do what she needs to do behind your back without even blinking. And you’re not carefree, you’re bitter and angry and blinded by ambition. Relaclave carved you down to your truths.”
Topp let out a rough laugh in the back of his throat, giving Rollie a considering glance. “But you couldn’t tell that girl liked you?”
Rollie shot him a look. “Not the same.”
His thighs strained as he took another step. Oddly enough, something about the honesty of Rollie’s comments comforted him. If only because it made him realize it would always be more complex than that. He might have liked her sweet, compliant court mask, but he had loved seeing the devious wheels of her mind spin. It was only when their ambitions and secrets had clashed that everything came apart.
The ultimate truth, the one his mind wanted to avoid, was that it didn’t matter. He’d wrecked their lives without blinking and left the woman he’d loved to die. He knew exactly what kind of man that made him, and it wasn’t good.
Hot air burned his lungs. It was a game of kings, gods, and fate now. The only kind of person he needed to be was one who stayed alive long enough to save his kingdom and avenge his family.
Grunting, he yanked Rollie up another step before the man teetered backward and broke his neck. “Enough feelings. Pick up your fucking feet before you fall to your death.”
Red-faced Rollie nodded, sweat dripping down his temples as he stood, pinching his side. Topp’s expression flattened. He should have known Rollie was going to hold him up. He never even came above ground, for the gods’ sake.
A sweet jasmine breeze floated past, and Rollie swung his head, sniffing the air. “I normally hate perfume, but that smells amazing.”
Topp’s instincts kicked in, his head swiveling as well. The scent smelledunnaturallygood. Lesson number one of nature—the most beautiful things were often the deadliest.
The thought had barely passed through his mind when his muscles locked, and his knees hit the hard steps. Collapsing, his head cracked against the sandstone steps. His green eyes attempted to search for Rollie, but neither of them were able to move.
Chapter 21
Topp stirred,coming to slowly with his face smooshed against cold white tiles.
“Now, now, Prince, couldn’t have you causing a scene on our Lady’s steps.”
The woman’s voice swirled around him, sensual and familiar. Gods, he knew that voice. If his brain could just stop swimming, he could place it. Topp attempted to twist, hoping to confirm his suspicions, but his muscles ignored him, still largely paralyzed.
A small throaty laugh taunted him. “My Lady and I simply have a few questions for you, Your Highness, and then you’ll be on your way. I assure you, you’re as safe as ever.”
Topp had been stripped down to his undershirt and shorts and tied up like a pig that wasn’t going to make it through the day.Safe as ever, my ass.Whoever had tied him up like this surely fucking wasn’t.
The prince mirrored his captress, his low voice rumbling right back at her. “And whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with?” He strained his neck, still trying to see her, but he couldn’t so much as lift his skull. From what he could see on the floor, he was in a spa dressing room. A row of single benches sat between tall, stacked cubbies where people had shoved shoes and clothes.Clean robes were neatly folded and waiting to be used while woven straw bins housed dirtied towels. Refreshing eucalyptus and lemon permeated the thick moisture-laden air, making him believe there was a hot spring or sauna nearby.
A soft clicking of heels brought the woman to his side. Silky fabric swished near his nose as she crouched down, her full heart-shaped face and curves swallowing his vision.
