The reminder of his late friend stirred the fury that he had just managed to calm. His jaw locked as he scanned the skies, his knee beginning to bounce.
“You’re angry,” Dauphine remarked.
“My kingdom has been attacked by sycophants,” Aidon bit out, dragging his gaze back to her. “Of course I’m angry.”
“Yourkingdom?” Finally, she turned to look at him, her braid sliding over her shoulder as she did. “I wasn’t aware you were still intent on keeping your crown.”
“Do not goad me,” Aidon warned. “You saw what happened when Cole did.”
Dauphine leaned closer, until her shoulder was pressing firmly against his. She tilted her chin up, her eyes wide and sparkling with amusement. “But it’s so fun,” she whispered, her breath brushing across his lips.
“Dauphine—” His words died on his tongue as her hand found his cheek.
“I am not afraid of your fire, Aidon.” Her gaze dipped to his lips for the briefest of moments. “Burn me if you must.”
Seven hells, he would not be surprised to find thathewas burning right now. Every inch of him felt hot, but this time his Incend flame was not at fault.
It was her.
All her.
Aidon shut his eyes, as if that would somehow protect him against the way he so desperately yearned to give in. It made it easier to whisper the words he had been repeating silently to himself since he’d stormed out of the house.
“I have to go home.”
There it was, the truth laid bare. He hadn’t been sure when he’d first taken to the woods with Will if he would ever be able to return to Rinnia, to his people. But now…
He would never forgive himself if he didn’t at least try.
“We will not win this war without all of us united,” Aidon murmured, his eyes fluttering open. If the Bellare stayed in control, Trahir would remain isolated from the fight.
Isolated, that is, until Kakos decided to bring their destruction to their door.
“Cole is right. I have fought Kakos three times now. They may not accept me as their king, but I was once their general. Perhaps that is who they need to hear from now.”
They might never accept him, but it was a risk he had to take. For his family. For his friends. For his people. For Eteryium.
The corner of Dauphine’s lips twitched. She leaned in, pausing for a beat—giving him the chance to pull away.
He didn’t.
Aidon’s pulse thundered as she pressed her lips to his. His hand cupped her jaw, and gods, her skin was soft and warm, her lips full and perfect. He licked into her mouth, swallowing the soft moan he dragged from her throat as she slid a hand to the back of his neck and pulled him closer.
Aidon’s stomach tightened, heat racing down his spine and stirring in his gut, and he braced a hand on the stump to stop himself from laying her down right here. If the way her body rolled up against his was any indication, he did not think she’d mind.
Even still…
Aidon pulled back, his breath rendered into soft pants that he tried to swallow as he caught his bearings.
“What was that for?” he asked, his hand sliding back into her hair.
Dauphine tugged him in again, her teeth nipping at his bottom lip in a way that tore a soft groan from his chest. He could taste her smile as she pulled away.
“I was worried for a moment that you weren’t the man I thought you were,” she answered. “I’m glad to be proven wrong.”
“And who is it that you think I am?”
Dauphine’s smile turned soft as she brought her other hand to his cheek so that she was cupping his face fully, like she was holding him steady so that he could not escape her words.
