The shock of his movement made me gasp. I flinched, but he merely gripped the back of my neck harder, pushing himself into me. I put my hands on his chest and shoved until I could rip away, almost falling off the bed at the motion.
He reared back. “Clarissa, I—I’m sorry. I don’t—I don’t know what?—”
“Stop,” I said, my cheeks burning. I ran my fingers through my tangled hair, shivering at the sudden chill. My fox half pulsed beneath my skin.
“I shouldn’t have kissed you. I just—I thought this was a good thing.” He swallowed and stood to face me. I jerked away instinctively. “That we could touch each other. I thought you’d want that too.”
My legs shook, my heart racing as my adrenaline slowly faded. Fates, it would be so much easier if I wanted him. But if these past days had shown me anything, it was where my heart truly lived.
Not that it mattered.
“Galen, this marriage, it—it’s only for show.Youwere the one who made that clear in the beginning. To build an alliance and break the curse. I’m going back to my empire after this—you know that.”
He looked at the ground. “Things could change.”
“No, they can’t. Look at me,” I said. “You don’t want this. You don’t wantme. You’re enamored by the idea of me saving you. I have the power to break this curse…to give you yourlifeback. And I’m one of the only people you can touch without hurting. That’s where all of this is coming from. It’s what I represent to you.”
His gaze searched mine, and I wondered if he could see right through me. If he could see the icy blue eyes that lurked in my subconscious.
“You’re right,” he finally said, turning away from me. His voice was void of emotion, that longing and amazement he’d held now gone. “I’m sorry I made you uncomfortable.”
“Galen, I?—”
“I’m tired. I should rest before we reach the island.”
I stared at his back for a moment longer, then twisted the door handle and stepped onto the deck, now arrayed in bright sunlight, my skin still cold and yearning for the touch of someone else.
44
Clarissa
“Holy Fates.” Devora slumped into the seat next to me, her eyes trained on a sight at my back. “I’ve never seen it up close.”
“Seen what up—” I turned around and cut myself off.
We’d arrived at the Island Territory.
Straight ahead loomed two enormous green cliffs on either side of the ship, with bright, glassy turquoise water lapping and winding through the space in between. I kept craning my neck up, up, up to take in the beautiful, towering cliffs as we sailed farther into the bay. My eyes followed their sloping peaks until they descended to meet the shore, which was littered with tall trees and broad leaves. I could barely make out the tiny crowds of people milling about, and even farther back stood buildings covered with grassy roofs and plunging waterfalls scattered across the terrain.
“It’s beautiful,” I said.
Devora nodded. “I’ve always wanted to visit.”
“Let’s just hopetheseregents don’t try to kill one of us.”
“Third time’s the charm.”
I smiled, then jumped in my seat when a voice behind us said, “I wouldn’t worry about that too much. The Zeloria regent family isn’t like the others.”
I turned to face Thorne. My heart thumped louder when his eyes lingered on me.
“Empress,” he said softly, inclining his head.
“Lord Reaux,” I replied.
Devora’s sharp eyes flitted between us. “I’m…going to go make sure your bags are ready to go, Your Majesty.” She gave a quick bow before handing me Mia’s leash and darting off toward the cabins. The pup wagged her tail and let out a high-pitched bark as a seagull swooped close to the railing.
I shook my head. “I swear, I tell them to call me Rissa, and it’s like they don’t even hear me.”
