“And breaking it?” She meets my eyes. “Is that mentioned anywhere?”
The question catches me off guard. “I’m not sure it’s ever been broken. Or if it can be.”
She rises, and the loss of her nearness is almost physical. An ache.
“I’ll look for more books.” She walks to a massive bookcase against the far wall.
I take the moment to breathe, to collect myself. The tension in my trousers eases.
I try to focus on the text, but I’m acutely aware of her presence. The air feels charged, like the atmosphere before a storm. Every nerve ending in my body is taut, vibrating. Singing out to her.
She returns with several volumes, and we read in silence.
The companionable quiet wraps around us. This—this feels right in a way I can’t explain.
Then the door bangs open.
We both jump.
The General fills the doorway. “Oh, I’m glad we found you, Prince Kiernan.” His voice booms through the library. “We expected to see you once the alarm sounded. When you were nowhere to be found, we started worrying.”
“I was keeping Alaya company.” I glance at her, winking. “She was distressed by the alarm.”
She flashes me a grin that makes my cock twitch.
Gods, I could lose myself in that smile.
“Was it serious?” I ask, dragging my attention back to the General.
“The Equitae were spotted right outside the walls. The Thorn Guards were deployed and handled it, but their proximity is becoming an issue. The King will address the Court at the evening meal.”
“Well, I’m safe. I’m sure Alaya feels sufficiently protected now, given your prompt response.”
I turn. Alaya is smirking at me.
What I wouldn’t give to kiss that smirk from her lips.
Instead, I nod and follow the General out, leaving her there among the dust and ancient books, the ghost of her warmth still lingering on my skin.
Chapter Ten
Alaya
I return to my suite to change my dress and Prince Kiernan picks me up promptly to escort me to the evening meal. He’s more cordial than usual, shooting me quick glances as we walk to the Great Hall.
I move quietly beside him, my hand resting on his arm. His robes swish with each step, his boots thud against stone—a steady rhythm that contrasts sharply with the storm raging inside me.
My muscles still hum with the memory of our training session. My skin still burns with those brief, electrifying moments when my body pressed close to his as we lay in the sand. And our meeting in the Library, that time alone that felt so intimate. These aren’t the feelings I should have for him. They’re the kind that feel dangerously, thrillingly real.
And then there’s Heller. His confession, delivered with desperate sincerity that wounded me more than the nick to my throat, sits like a stone in my stomach. He wants me to run away with him. A trusted confidant, a safe harbour, suddenly transformed into something we could never be. The guilt gnaws at me—as if I’ve betrayed our friendship simply by not returning his feelings.
I’m lost in these thoughts as we enter the Great Hall and make our way to the raised table at the end. The King hasn’t arrived yet. We sit in silence, looking out over the gathered Fae—a mixture of Nobility and Gift Leaders tonight. I spot Daphne with her husband, the General. She shoots Prince Kiernan a longing glance and waves. I look to him for a reaction, but I’m shocked to find him already watching me. He smiles, yet I catch concern flickering across his features.
“Are you well?” he asks.
“I’m fine, thank you, my Prince.” I look away, not wanting to engage more than necessary. My mind is such a tempest I’m not sure I have room for anything else.
We wait in painful silence. Eventually, the King enters from the door beside our table, striding in with irritation carved into every line of his face.
