He looked shocked by her question. Then his color rose. “No.”
He didn’t elaborate. Rain felt a corner of her heart wither and die but soldiered on, because she knew what she wanted.
“Before I marry Aldo, I want to be kissed by a man who is young, vigorous, and attractive.”
Daric’s face turned to stone. “I’ll be damned if I’m goingto let you comb Upper Ash for a man to kiss you.”
“And I’ll be damned before I let you dictate my actions.” Rain faced Daric’s glower with a boldness born of knowing him better than anyone. He was polite and good, but he’d never let anyone run roughshod over him. Not even her, but that didn’t mean she was intimidated by him. “That said, why would I need to comb Upper Ash for a candidate whenI have you right here beside me?”
He stared at her. His throat bobbed. He looked almost…frightened. “Do you have any idea what you’re asking?”
Heat coursed through her. “I’m asking for a kiss.”
He shook his head. “You’re asking to make the years ahead of us even worse.”
Rain’s eyes widened, and her pulse leaped to a harder beat. Was he saying what she thought he was? “You accepted your betrothalto Astraea, who is truly awful, but you’ve been vulgar and enraged since we found out about me being promised to Aldo. Why?”
Daric turned away from her. For a moment, she thought he might leave. “Because I can live with my own unhappiness, but I can’t live with yours.”
Tears stung Rain’s eyes. “Your father is right,” she said gently. “Do you think I’d be any happier at Nighthall, with you marriedto Astraea and me living in her shadow?”
Daric’s head snapped around. He looked furious. “You outshine her by far.”
Rain stood, her chair scraping back. “I don’t know if you say that to be chivalrous and kind, or if you feel something…more. Speak plainly, Daric, or I might go comb Upper Ash after all for a man to do more than just kiss me before Aldo is my only option.”
Daric stood, too, ahead taller than Rain and a good deal wider. He stepped closer, backing her against the table. “You wouldn’t.”
Rain lifted her chin. No, she wouldn’t. She would never dishonor herself, Aldo, or her family in that way, but Daric couldn’t be sure of that. “Then kiss me yourself,” she demanded.
“Don’t ask me to do this,” he choked out.
“Why? Would it be so terrible?”
“Terrible?” His brows archedin surprise. He lifted a hand. His thumb grazed her jaw, tilting her head back, and Rain’s heart tumbled wildly. Daric’s gaze shifted to the starflower still in her hair before his eyes returned to her face, haunted. “You’re my one and only obsession.”
Rain drew a sharp breath, the ember of hope inside her catching fire. She touched her hand to his chest. Daric was hard and strong. Aldo wouldbe the opposite.
“Then kiss me.” Boldly, she slid both hands toward his shoulders. She wanted to touch him, had yearned for this. “For I’m just as obsessed.”
Heat and hunger blazed across Daric’s expression. Then his face abruptly twisted. “I cannot.” He stepped back.
Rain froze, hurt pounding through her like the downpours she occasionally dreamed she unleashed upon the kingdom—only to wakeand find the land as dry as bone.
She swallowed, but her voice still shook. “You’re making me feel very foolish, Daric.”
“I’m the fool.” His bitter tone coated the air between them in frost, just as it had countless times over the course of this dreadful day. “I’m the fool for loving you from the moment I saw you—and wanting you more than my next breath.”
Blood surged in her veins. Rain reachedfor him again. Those were the words she’d wanted—needed—for years.
Daric avoided her, shaking his head. His voice grew thick and hoarse as he said, “You’re beautiful, desirable, strong, and kind. Any man would be lucky to have you even look at him. But I am the Prince of Leathen, and my life is not my own.” He turned away. Daric left and didn’t look back.
Rain trembled, heartsick. As his footstepsfaded, she bit down hard on her lip to keep from sobbing. She’d rather draw blood than shed more tears, although neither would help her, Daric, or the kingdom.
