“He introduced this as the Grant castle, yet the book refers to his father as King Graystorm. And everyone in Rivale calls him King Grave.”
“Well, that’s because Rivale is full of assholes.” She winced. “No offense.”
I shrugged.
“Anyway, the royals were pissed that Athela married a witch becauseweapparently are just awful,” Sky mocked and rolled her eyes. “When Colgrave refused to use his father’s family name and chose his mother’s instead, they wouldn’t have it—in their eyes she’d tainted the Grant name. So those from the other kingdoms took the childhood nickname all the little shit kids created, and that’s what they’ve called him ever since.”
“Oh,” I muttered.
“Yea, he’s kinder than I’d ever be. If it were me, I’d take each of their hearts and change it into—” The gravel she once held crumbled into a fine dust and the breeze carried it from her hand.
“I don’t think we need a visual.” A low voice rumbled behind me.
Over my shoulder, Grave stood with his arms across his chest while leaning against the jagged cliff. Dirt adorned his face, while dark bags rested just below his eyes. Despite the muck and exhaustion, he was still utterly beautiful.
“I heard you wanted to go into town.” Grave stepped forward and extended a hand, helping me to my feet. His eyes raked over me. “I’d like to take you myself if that’s okay. I just need to clean up first.”
His hand moved to my face, but I drew away. In such a short time, I’d become wary of what the hands of others could do. Even a thousand miles away, Ryder’s impact was far-reaching. The more time passed, the less I understood my feelings for the prince; I wasn’t even sure I hadanyfeelings for him. It made little sense, yet in the back of my mind a twinge of guilt remained.
“I’m sorry, there was a strand of hair and I—” Grave hesitated. “I shouldn’t have.”
“It’s my issue, not yours.” I looked down, realizing my hand had somehow interlaced with his when I pushed him away. Extending my fingers, I let our contact drop and dug my hand into a pocket.
He blew out a long breath before walking to the side doors and disappearing inside.
“You two need to fuck and get it out of your systems already.” Sky chuckled.
My head snapped to her, and I lifted my left hand, displaying the large stone weighing down my finger. “I’m betrothed to the Prince of Rivale.”
“Yeah,” Sky said, nodding, “and yet he shipped you off. Real charmer, isn’t he?”
For a moment, I let myself consider what it might’ve felt like to be wrapped in Grave’s arms, or to lie against him in the afterglow of a long night. Tucking into his muscled chest while traveling was more comforting than I’d expected. Even if I hadn’t let myself feel it fully. The undercurrent between us was undeniable.
“You alright over there, Princess?” Sky asked. “You’re looking a bit flustered.”
“I’m not a princess.” I shook my head.
“Yet,” Grave said, leaning against the doorframe, his face clean. “It’s only a matter of time.”
I rolled my eyes. “Are we going?”
An hour later, the four of us made our way into the heart of the capital. Amalee and Sky strode ahead hand in hand while Grave and I trailed. Fisher remained at the castle only after I’d convinced him I would be safe. Not a single guard accompanied us. It felt both dangerous and exhilarating. I hadn’t realized the weight of scrutinizing eyes until their absence left me lighter.
“Why don’t you have any guards at your townhouse?” My fingers brushed against the colorful ribbons dangling from the sun catchers outside a storefront. Nearly every store held hand-crafted items.
“I don’t need them. The threats are from outside the kingdom and rarely from within.” He waved at a passing female, who offered a dip of her chin.
“Nobody bows to you?”
He shook his head. “No need for that either. We all live here, I’m only their spokesperson to the rest of the continent.”
“A little simplistic, don’t you think?” For as much as I hated King Sutton, I wasn’t so foolish to disregard the importance of a royal.
“Perhaps, but I don’t see the point of ruling any other way.They know I have their best interests in mind and will always do what I can to provide for them. Why do I need them to reduce themselves before me? This is their home just as much as it is mine.”
“Col! Col!” a little voice called from behind us.
A young girl wrapped herself around the tall king’s leg. Picking her up, he twirled her about several times as laughs burst from her belly. He carefully set her down and helped her steady from the dizzying spins. A woman with the same brown eyes and golden hair approached. Their frames were thin, yet their smiles were wide.
