My eyes fly back up to the prince’s face.
Those swirling lines licking his skin in languid kisses draw me in. He is set to dazzle as his grin showcases those dimples I’m growing surprisingly fond of.
Within strides, he is close enough to take my hand. He wraps it within his own and draws his face down to mine, resting our joined hands on his neck. “If you were my princess, we would match.”
My breath evacuates my lungs as the bond sings and vibrates throughout my body. The sunshine and pine smell is heady as I stare at our joined hands over the magical, dancing drawings on Rivern’s skin. “What?” My brain manages to push out of the fog.
Gently gliding one of my fingers along a strong, bright line, he whispers breathlessly into my ear, “These lines covering my body… I would spend many turns of the suns with you naked as I painted your skin in our story.”
My body threatens to combust at the insinuation of him touching me naked. Of us naked together.
“I…”
“Yes, Little Dove?” His eyes swim in my vision, my heart beating so vigorously that it threatens to claim sanctuary in Rivern’s chest.
“Is it down in the cellar?” a voice calls out towards the direction of the stairs. Rivern forces my body further against his, pushing us back against the wall. If he could absorb me to keep me safe at this point, I think he would. This bond is really wreaking havoc on both of us.
Creaking comes from just behind the illuminated doorway above the wooden staircase.
“Shhh,” Rivern says in my ear, his hot breath trailing down my neck.
I’m taut with tension and an excitement I’ve never experienced before.
Muffled voices come from outside the cellar as the creaking ceases.
Both our bodies exhale at the same time, the bond dolling out a heavy wave of relief.
“We need disguises,” Rivern suddenly declares and pulls away from my body. Not making eye contact with me he strips the ribbon holding his braid in place. “Turn.”
“Why?”Just because we are bonded doesn’t mean I’m going to follow every word on his lips.
Rivern pushes his hair behind pointed ears, slightly pouty, which gives his beauty a childlike quality—almost cute. If I had to compare Castor and Rivern there would be no contest. Rivern would win.If only I had my charcoals.My heart melts.Stop that, I berate the bond as it thrums.The bond is doing this to me, making me feel these nice, lovely feelings, and I don’t like it. Why can’t I receive love for just being me?
Kestrel.I haven’t had a moment to think of my friend back at the temple and her wedding to Prince Castor.Did she know about Haven? Surely, she was just as much in the dark as the rest of the people within the temple. Who knew the depths of the king’s rot?
Coming back to my body, I notice Rivern talking, “…fix your hair to look more like a boy.” He waves his hands up and down my body. “It’ll make sense with the clothing you are wearing.”
“Right.” I nod. “I can do it.” I hold out my hand to him.
He reluctantly holds out his hand, and I swipe the smooth green material.
Bunching my wild locks into a simple pony at the nap of my neck, I tuck the length into the navy tunic. “What’s the plan, your prince-liness?” I tease.
He squints his eyes at me and ruffles his hair to cover his ears. Dark blonde tendrils fall over his face, obscuring the golden lines tracing his body.
“That’s it?” I comment, trying to hold back a chuckle.
“Until we can find cloaks,” he adds very matter-of-factly.
“Right, let’s hope we find them soon because you look like no villager I’ve ever seen.”
He gives me that tummy-tumbling grin and grabs my hand, pulling me towards the staircase.
Listening at the bottom of the stairs, Rivern speaks softly, “Let’s head up and see if we ended up where I think we are.”
“Where do you think we are?” I whisper back.
“Below the Tavern.” He pulls me behind him, moving slowly up the stairs.
