Then she took a step.
Felt the distance between their rooms fold until it was merely a hop away.
And planted her feet firmly in her destination.
She opened her eyes to find she’d succeeded in her travels. Only, it wasn’t the dimly lit room she’d pictured. Instead, the bedroom was cast beneath a golden glow, the walls flickering with the light of what appeared to be a hundred candles. She was so startled by this unexpected vision, so distracted by the ivory flame-topped pillars that encroached upon nearly every flat surface, from the dresser to the nightstand to the bureau, that she almost didn’t notice Teryn.
He leaned against the far wall, one arm propped on a windowsill, ankles crossed. It seemed he’d kept his promise about wearing a shirt and had even managed to keep it mostly buttoned. He was free of his cravat and dinner jacket, the only other articles left of his evening attire being his trousers and open waistcoat. His pale hair was no longer tied back and hung loose like it had when she’d first invaded his bedroom. She was still struck by that moon-white hair, how it was neither thin nor fraying like she’d expected it to be. How it cascaded around his face in lazy waves. How it somehow suited him just as well as his golden-brown tresses had.
“You came,” he said, not moving from his place by the window.
She took a few hesitant steps forward, gaze flicking from him to the candles and back again. “You did all this? For me?”
“It wouldn’t be the first time.” He pushed off the wall and closed just as much distance as she had. Which was a measly three feet. Perhaps he was allowing her to set the pace between them. She nearly sprinted the rest of the way to him, jumped into his arms, and pressed her lips to that deliciously plump mouth of his, but she held back. She absolutelyhadto express herself through words before she turned herself over to her body.
“What do you mean it wouldn’t be the first time?” she asked. Then a sound tugged upon her awareness. “And is that…music?”
“It is music.” He angled his head toward the windowsill behind him.
Cora saw nothing but a long wooden box. “What is that?”
“Your wedding gift.”
Curiosity overtook her. She swept toward the windowsill, her heart racing with every foot of space she closed between herself and Teryn, then brushed past him. The sound was louder now, a sweet yet tinny melody that emanated from the box. The box itself was a long, narrow rectangle of black lacquered wood decorated with red-and-gold cherry blossoms. A jewelry box, perhaps? Teryn stepped beside her, and the scent of soap and pine filled her senses. He leaned in close and whispered, “Open it.”
She met his eyes, his smile, and her heart nearly burst from her chest. She was reluctant to tear her gaze away, but she was still so curious about the box. He’d said it was her wedding gift, and the music box was stunning in itself. But if he wanted her to open it, perhaps her actual gift was inside.
Dragging her attention from Teryn to the box, she brought her hands to the lid. As she lifted it, Teryn said, “I know we already chose rings from our royal collections, so I didn’t get you wedding jewelry. Besides, I thought this would suit you better.”
The music grew slightly clearer as the box opened on a hinge. Inside was a compartment lined with red velvet, and at the very center lay a stunning dagger. Cora’s breath caught at the beautiful steel blade, flickering orange from the undulating candlelight, but that was before she noticed the hilt. It was even more breathtaking, with a crossguard engraved in a floral pattern that continued onto the hilt. At its center was the most moving touch of all—a unicorn rearing back on its hind legs, mane rippling and merging into the floral engraving. Tears glazed her eyes as she ran her fingers over the design, marveling in its craftsmanship.
“You like it?” Teryn’s voice was edged with uncertainty.
“I love it,” she said, and her heart hammered at the wordlove. Slowly, she slid her gaze from the dagger to him.
“I had it made specially for you,” he said. “I wanted it to represent you in every way. Your beauty. Your fierceness. Your connection to Valorre. And…to me.”
“You?”
He reached for the box and closed the lid again. “Do you remember the first time you held a blade to my throat?”
She nearly barked a laugh that he had to specifythe first time, but he was right to. He’d been on the other side of her blade more than once. She recalled their first encounter now, when they’d met by a stream. Teryn had almost thrown a spear at Valorre and Cora had stopped him by shooting an arrow at his neck in warning. It had struck a cherry tree behind him, pink blossoms in full bloom. After that, she’d confronted him with her knife and they’d had a brief altercation.
Laughter tore through her chest. “You dedicated my wedding gift tothatmoment between us?”
“The most important moment.” His eyes glittered with mirth as he lifted a hand and softly brushed it against her cheek. Her stomach fluttered, and it was all she could do not to angle her face and press her lips to his palm. She would not kiss him until she’d confessed her heart’s deepest longings.
But as she opened her mouth to just say it already, the words wouldn’t come. Was she supposed to blurt it out? Pair it with some sweet gesture? Sweet words? If only she were as thoughtful as he was. If only she’d had the foresight to have gotten him a gift that would render him speechless. If only?—
“May I have this dance?”
Her mind emptied. She’d been so wrapped up in her thoughts, she hadn’t noticed Teryn pull his hand from her cheek or step away. He now held the music box in his hand and was winding the brass key at the back. A cranking sound emanated from the box, but as he set it back down, the melody resumed. Cora shook her head to clear it. “Dance?”
He sketched a bow, a sideways grin pulling his lips. As he straightened, he held out his hand. What else could Cora do but take it? Her nerves settled as she placed her hand in his. He pulled her against him, too close for any kind of dance at a public ball. But here, in the privacy of his room, it was perfect. She kept one hand clasped in his and wound the other arm around his back. Then, turning her face, she nestled her head to his chest, the pound of his heart merging with the rhythm of the music box. Slowly they swayed, saying not a word for minutes on end.
Finally, Teryn gently loosened her arm from around his waist and guided her into a slow spin. When he reeled her in, her back was to his chest. They swayed side to side as he brought his lips close to her ear. “I never answered your earlier question.”
She shuddered as his breath rustled her hair. “What question?”
