His nose trailed mine, so close his lashes grazed me when he blinked. Slowly, painfully slowly, his lips brushed against my cheek, the lightest of kisses sending a shiver down my spine and making my breath hitch. He dragged his mouth across my skin until it met the corner of my lips. Without realizing it, I squeezed the hand still intertwined with mine, my heart beating so loudly I was sure he could hear it. I felt his lips curve into a smile.
Knock knock.
“Everything alright in there?” Horace’s voice rang through the air.
Leo pulled away. Irritation burned through me. In my mind, I twisted Horace’s long, blonde beard around his own neck and choked him.
Rolling my neck on my shoulders, I let out a sigh. “Yes, I’m fine,” I called back.
“Just checking.” His knuckles rapped once on the door. “Thought I heard loud voices earlier.”
“I want a new guard,” I mumbled under my breath. Leo chuckled and eased himself onto his back, putting his arms behind his head.
I pushed onto my feet and made my way into the bathing chamber to wash my face and change for bed. Over the sound of running water, I heard Leo tease, “So, you think I’m incredible?”
Snorting, I pressed a towel to my face and stuck my head outthe door. Seeing him lying in my bed so casually made my stomach flip. “That’sthe part you picked up on?”
He grinned. I walked around the room and blew out the candles, coating us in darkness save for the moonlight coming from the window. Sauntering to the bed, I sat on the edge across from him until he leaned over and pulled me closer.
“What, exactly, is so incredible about me?” he continued.
I shoved his side. “You’re incredibly full of yourself, for one. And incrediblymoody.” He laid back and gazed at me, that lazy, happy smile so at odds with his hard lines and piercing eyes. “And thoughtful,” I conceded, lowering on my side to face him. “Loyal. Handsome. Dedicated and compassionate.”
He hummed, and the sound vibrated down my spine. “What was that?”
“Dedicated? Compassionate?”
“Before those.” His fingers played with my hair on the pillow.
I rolled my eyes. “I guess one might find you handsome.”
“Really, now?”
With a smirk, I batted his hand away. “I take it back. This is all going to your head.”
He laughed then propped himself on his elbow to look down at me. His smile faded, replaced by an earnestness that made me swallow and fight not to look away.
“You’re the incredible one, Rose,” he said softly. “I’ve never told anyone about that night. About what the blood magic caused. Thank you for letting me.”
“Of course,” I responded, a little hoarsely. “You can tell me anything.”
As I spoke the words, bitterness slithered up my throat, a reminder of what I was still keeping from him. The list kept growing. The cut on my thumb seared beneath the bandage, physical proof of my latest secret.
Blood magic. The very thing he believed killed his father.
But it didn’thaveto be that way, did it? It could be controlled. He was young; he hadn’t known how to use it correctly.
Nothing that felt so right could possibly cause that much harm.
He leaned down and kissed my forehead. “Goodnight, Rose.”
With a deep breath, I whispered back, “Goodnight.”
50
Rose
For the first time in forever, I was happy. Which didn’t make any sense.
