“All right,” I relent as we stroll beside one another.
“About last night?—”
“You regret it…” I say softly, a crack forming in my chest.
Casimir’s hand wraps around mine. “Never.”
I catch myself blushing like a fool as Casimir releases me. Even worse, I wish he had held on a little longer. My gut flutters with excitement at the thought that he wants me, causing the warring between my head and heart to grow.
“I… I wanted to make sure you didn’t feel pressured,” he finally says.
I give him a saccharine smile. “The only pressure was your fingers in my?—”
“Raelys,” Casimir warns, stopping me from finishing my sentence.
I giggle, enjoying the sight of his shoulders going rigid. It is fun to throw him off, to poke holes in his stern and calculating exterior. I like the way I affect him, but I hate that he also affects me in turn.
My body moves on its own, lingering closer to him as we walk alongside one another, our shoulders gently brushing against each other. There's the familiar sensation of his magic skating across my skin, which is starting to feel less like a prickle of thorns and more like a caress of silk.
“Are you happy, Raelys?” Casimir asks out of the blue.
My brows draw together, my smile waning. “What do you mean?”
“In Khalessor.”
The air suddenly pulls taut. My lips part slightly as I shakily inhale, unsure of why I’m hesitating. This is my chance to pull the wool over his eyes. I can use his vulnerability to advance my game pieces. Unfortunately, I can’t bring myself to do it.
“It’s far better than staying locked inside castle walls,” I admit truthfully.
His expression softens. “You’re welcome to stay.”
My confusion only grows. “I wasn’t aware I was leaving.”
“I do not wish to cage you,” Casimir explains. “The choice is yours when spring arrives. I want you to stay, but I won’t force you.”
“What about the curse?” I ask in utter disbelief.
“I meant what I said at Noctalis.”
I recall the words Casimir spoke to me the night of the ball. I haven’t put too much thought into them after finding out he is the warlord. My brother may think that I’m being held captive and march north to attack.
“Won’t my staying cause more war?”
“I’d go to war for you.”
I stop in my tracks. If I thought I was the one throwing Casimir off, I am wrong. He’s completely flipped my world upside down, resetting the hourglass of my reality. I know he means it, too, and that makes my pulse race even more. He’s the first person who's given me a choice for my freedom, knowing how much it means to me.
“Don’t give me that look.” Casimir’s voice is low and sultry, stirring something in my gut. “I am no stranger to war, Raelys.”
Neither am I.
“Did you send your forces to Thalvar?” I ask quietly, glancing around to make sure we are alone.
I planned to keep the information I learned from the letters to myself, but after our conversation tonight, I decided to shareit with Casimir. Nikolas is the leader of the rebellion and is a direct threat to the throne. He intends to kill Casimir’s troops when they arrive in Thalvar, and he’s about to lose a large part of his army.
Bewilderment crosses his features. “How do you know about that?”
“Don’t ask questions you won’t like the answer to.” I quote Casimir’s words back to him; it is the same excuse he used in Avelisar.
