“Oh, just murder and revenge,” Solveig replied as she stood, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. The prince’s hand fell to his sideand he flexed his fingers. Her back still thrummed where he’d touched her.
“Ah, the usual. I hope I’m not on that list.”
“Your Highness, you’re right at the very top,” she said sweetly through a smile that did not reach her eyes.
“That is genuinely a terrifying thought, General.” His stare burned into her, making her squirm. The last few minutes caught up with her as her cheeks started to redden.
“I doubt it considering you just witnessed me fall to pieces. I can’t be that terrifying to you anymore.” She was dangerously close to being even more vulnerable in front of this Fae. She had to pull herself together.
“Are you kidding? Do you know how much strength it takes to vomit in such a high quantity?” He nudged her with his elbow and she let out a small chuckle. “Seriously, it inspired plenty of fear.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way—actually, forget that. Please take this the wrong way if you need to, but I’m going to go to my tent to pretend today never happened.”
“Ouch. I do plan on taking that the wrong way.” He clutched his heart.
“Suit yourself. See you tomorrow, Prince.”
“Try not to shoot me, okay?”
She waved at him, calling out, “No promises,” as she walked away.
His deep chuckle raised goosebumps all over her flesh.
When she arrived at her tent, she realized he had distracted her from her spiral into the darkness, pulling her out of her rising panic. But without his infuriating smirk and strong, warm hands, Solveig’s mind was free to ruminate over every thought and feeling she’d had that day.
The darkness welcomed her home.
Every time the door to the dining hall opened, Westley automatically looked up, small beats of hope quaking his heart and disappearing just as quickly when Solveig did not enter.
He was not subtle at all.
Conalle and Noren caught on to his glances and began exaggerating the craning of their necks, slumping in disappointment every time the door opened. Westley shoved Noren off the bench and his drunk ass tumbled right to the floor with a loud thump.
“She arranged to have her dinner brought to her tent tonight,” Conalle finally told him. Westley was a bit shocked by the strength of his disappointment.
Conalle clapped him on the shoulder, and Westley brushed his hand off as Noren climbed back on the bench and whispered loudly to him.
“She’s off-limits, West. You know you can’t have her.”
“Get your nasty breath out of my face,” Westley said. “I know.”
“I don’t see why there would be a problem! She’s sexy, you’re sexy, your sexy times would be very sexy,” Conalle said, throwing his arm around Westley’s shoulders.
“Your drunk asses need to get to bed,” Westley said, helping his friends to their feet. They stumbled out of the dining hall.
The stars bright against the dark sky greeted them. Storm clouds rolled in like they did most nights. He’d never stayed anywhere that rained this much. It was coming on fast—they’d be caught in a downpour if they didn’t hurry to their tents.
They stumbled through camp and Westley dumped his friends on their cots, both practically snoring before their bodies hit the piles of blankets.
He was walking to his tent when a bright flash of lightning struck the forest. The clap of thunder that followed was louder than anything he’d ever heard. Almost immediately, his heart clenched as Solveig’s screams wracked his mind. Horrifying, terrified screams.
After the briefest moment of hesitation, he took off running.
Every night he tried to ignore the feel of her nightmares, but tonight was unlike anything he’d encountered before. Her eyes had been haunted when she walked off that afternoon. Westley didn’t pause at the tent entrance this time. He cut through the ties, using the spares to resecure the opening once he was inside.
Solveig’s screams coursed through him and he quickly removed his overcoat.
Much like the first time he’d come to her—although this time he wasn’t soaking wet—he leaned over her and tried to wake her. She was drowning in the depths of her nightmare, and he could not rescue her. No matter how loud he yelled or how hard he shook her.
