“I don’t know how I’ll ever thank you enough for what you did for me.” I wrap my arms around myself as the guilt bubbles up. If he knew the truth, he’d hate me.
“I know how hard it is to live somewhere new.”
“Where are you from?” I ask, hopeful he’ll answer truthfully this time.
“Nowhere.”
“Everyone is from somewhere,” I say.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m here now,” he replies.
I nod and stop pushing. I have no right to ask him to divulge his past.
“Is your friend adjusting alright?”
“I think she’s thrilled she’s not sleeping in a drafty room tonight,” I say.
“Especially with the snow. It must remind you both of home.”
“It does. I used to love the snow. It was magical at night when the moon would turn it silver.” I’d stare out the window for hours when I was young to watch the snowfall. It wasn’t the same after we moved to the city.
“Come with me.” The smile on his face is playful. It’s an expression I haven’t seen on him before.
I hesitate, and glance behind me, knowing Anya is alone in my room.
“She’ll be safe,” he promises. “We’ve added more security since the last rebel attack.”
I’m still a little unsure, but I can’t resist his outstretched hand and the excited glint in his eyes. My heart thunders and reason tumbles from my mind. I’m grateful he can’t read my thoughts because I’d probably do just about anything to see him happy.
We enter a room near mine. It’s another bedroom, but all the furniture is covered in fabric. The stale air smells of dust.
“Whose room was this?” I ask.
“It used to be mine. I requested to move to more modest accommodations after I joined the legion. It didn’t feel right having so much when the others lived in the barracks.”
I can almost picture a young Brevan in this room, but the image is difficult to hold on to. I know very little about his childhood. Did he play with toys, or enjoy reading? Did he lounge on his bed, or fight Caiden with wooden swords?
I suspect that the change of rooms was also about that falling out. Giving him more distance from the prince.
Brevan throws open the drapes to reveal long windows. No, not windows, glass doors. He opens them, revealing a small balcony.
Cold winter air blows into the room, chilling me instantly. I should have grabbed a robe.
I pad over to the balcony, not caring that my feet are going to freeze on the cold metal. Soft snowflakes fall onto my shoulders and stick in my lashes. I reach out my hand and watch them land on my fingers. Then I tilt back my head and open my mouth, letting the flakes fall on my tongue. I laugh, reveling in the simplicity of the moment. I forgot what joy felt like.
Brevan chuckles, and to my surprise, he tilts his own head to catch flakes. After he does, he laughs again, then looks over at me. Snowflakes cling to his dark lashes, too, and stick to his hair. He looks like a fairy king who belongs in an enchanted woodland, instead of a brooding legionnaire. If only we’d met under other circumstances…
I turn away from him before I can let my mind finish that thought and lean against the icy railing. My fingers are freezing, but I don’t let go. The cold makes me feel more alive.
From here, I can see to the hedges that separate the castle grounds from the city. The expansive yard is covered in a blanket of sparkling white. The topiaries look like ghosts with their dusting of snow.
The moons are waxing crescents, but they give enough light for a sheen of silver to reflect off the fresh snow. “It’s beautiful. Thank you for bringing me here.”
When I look over, I find him staring at me instead of the landscape. He’s got a genuine smile on his lips, and he appears more relaxed and peaceful than I’ve ever seen.
“You’re right. It is magical in the moonlight.” His gaze is so intense, I know he’s not talking about the snow.
I’m certain my whole face is blushing. Good thing my cheeks were likely already pink from the cold. A shiver rakes my body, and I tighten my arms around myself.
