“I don’t remember agreeing to that,” I snap, crossing my arms. “And I’m not going anywhere!”
“Look, let’s talk about it in the morning, okay? Go to bed. We’re both exhausted. And you should…” He gestures at my chest. “Your wrap is…”
I look down. In my rush to shout at him, I hastily threw a shawl over my dress, and in my anger, it’s slipped off my shoulders, pulling the neckline of my dress down with it.
He’s blushing as he turns away, and I feel hot—with more than mere anger—as my chest heaves.
I wrap the shawl tightly around me, even more annoyed with both Dietan and myself. He probably thinks I’m a mess, nothing like the princesses he’s used to who wouldn’t have a hair out of place.
He can’t even look at me.
But I’m not leaving. He’ll be just as stubborn in the morning. Two can play that game.
My tent is on the opposite side of camp, and the walk feels like an eternity. Even though we’re hidden in a forest, with guardsmen on watch, it’s too isolated. Goddess damn it all… After what they did to Lydia… I don’t want to be alone tonight.
“My tent doesn’t feel safe,” I blurt.
“Marcus and the men will protect you. It’s everyone’s sworn duty,” he says, looking everywhere else in the tent but at me.
“It’s their sworn duty to protectyou,” I point out.
Dietan’s face softens, but he doesn’t argue. He told me it never gets any easier when people who swore oaths to protect him get hurt. It’s just part of being royal.
I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.
But I have to keep reminding myself that none of this is real. I’m never going to be his princess. I can’t forget that I’m not worth anyone’s sacrifice.
“Look, can’t I just stay here tonight?” I ask, trying not to sound pathetic. Now he’ll definitely send me away in the morning, but at least I’ll be able to sleep tonight.
Dietan looks momentarily confused, then stands up. “Ah…yeah, of course you can stay here,” he says, softening slightly. “This tent isn’t any safer than yours, but…whatever you prefer. Yours is near the fire, right?”
He walks toward the tent flap. The dumbass thinks I asked him if we could switch. That is not at all what I meant.
“No, I want to stay here,” I say, putting a hand on his arm, “with you.”
Dietan freezes as if I’ve turned him to stone. The tension in his shoulders could shatter bricks. I can’t see his face from this angle, though I can see his jaw muscle twitch.
“No,” he says sharply and shakes me off.
The rejection stings like a slap. “Why?” I ask, trying to hide the tears in my voice. “I’m supposed to be your fiancée, right? I’ve heard about your reputation; I doubt your men would care. I promise you won’t even know I’m here.”
“You don’t understand,” he says roughly.
“Don’t understand what?”
Dietan finally looks me in the eye. As if he’s admitting something shameful, he says, “Aren, I don’t share a bed with anyone.”
Oh,please.From what I’ve overheard of his guards’ conversations, he has quite the reputation at court as a philanderer whose bed is warmed by a steady rotation of willing ladies.
Right?
Unless…the rumors are deliberately untrue? I examine him carefully. He’s hidden one secret for half his life; he must have more.
“I just don’t want to be alone tonight,” I say, hoping to put him at ease.
“Alone,” he echoes softly.
His eyes bore into mine, his gaze so intense, I take a step back. My wrap falls off one shoulder.
