“Most of your people aren't sensitive to magic; that's all,” he explained. “I wasn't trying to be insulting.”
“Yeah; okay.”
“The point I was trying to make is that I asked you to come here because I was attracted to who you are; not just how you look or how lonely you were,” Drostan said. “You're beautiful, but we have beauty in abundance on Tirne. It ceases to impress after awhile. But it does teach us to look past the surface, to the character of a person. You are breathtaking, Riley; both on the surface and below it. Not only are you kind, but you're also strong and sensible. You've endured a lot of pain and loneliness, and yet you keep smiling.”
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“I wanted you in my life,” he said. “I wanted that kindness and spirit, and I especially wanted that happiness. There isn't a lot of those things here.”
“It seems to be rare,” I agreed. “But it's worth looking for. You shouldn't have given up on your people.”
“I'm glad that I did,” Drostan declared. “If I hadn't, I'd never have seen you; never have brought you here.”
I went quiet.
“Do you wish that I had never seen you?” Drostan asked hesitantly.
If I had allowed myself to answer immediately, I would have said yes. But then I thought about it; really thought about all I had been through on Tirne. There had been some rough bits, but even the worst parts hadn't been so bad. Even sex with Conall had been fun if I disregarded the way he'd tricked me. It had only been my first few days in Tirne and those days when I had believed that Drostan had abandoned me that had been rough. Still; I had found love along the way, and I possibly could again... if I was open to it. I looked over Drostan thoughtfully. What kind of man desired a woman because of her character? Only a man of equally good character.
“No,” I finally said. “I don't wish that you had never seen me. If for no other reason than my sister would be dead.”
“Yes; that,” Drostan murmured. “So,isthere no other reason?”
“There may be one or two.” I smiled softly.
Drostan smiled back.
We finished our breakfast with small talk and a few sweet caresses. We were edging back to the relationship we'd been in before Conall had abducted me. To foster our affection further, Drostan took me for a stroll through the castle gardens. Alien flowers in vivid colors bloomed on towering stalks around the gemstone path. More flowers speckled bushes and twining vines, and their scent perfumed the lazy air with a heady fragrance. Drostan led me to a golden bench set beneath a tree with draping branches, and we sat there together; holding hands and enjoying the speckled sunshine in peace.
We were only able to enjoy that peace for a few minutes before a goblin came running over to us.
“Your Majesty,” the goblin panted, “Prince Trenton is here.”
I tensed, and Drostan glanced from the goblin to me.
“I'll receive him in the throne room,” Drostan said.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” The goblin waddled off.
“You're going to speak with him?” I asked in surprise.
“Refusing to do so would be an act of war,” Drostan said simply.
“Oh; good.”
“Good?”
“Well, I don't want you starting a war.”
Drostan narrowed his eyes at me as he stood. “But I will go to war ifhestarts it.”
My hands began to tremble, but I clenched them into fists and forced myself to act.
“May I speak to him first?” I asked softly.
“Absolutely not,” Drostan growled.
“I want to tell him that I don't love him anymore,” I whispered.
