Finally, Sven spoke again, his voice quieter. “As you’re aware, Lars thinks you might not be what you seem.”
Bryn’s breath caught. “But why? What else could I be?”
“You were present for an assasination attempt. And now you’ve shown up at the wrong place at the wrong time,” Sven said carefully. “You did things most people couldn’t. And then you stayed. That makes him nervous.”
“I did what others wouldn’t do,” she corrected. “Everyone else ran. And by the way, I had no idea that you were a king. Why did no one else help you?” Her chest burned. “And now your bodyguard thinks I’m the enemy? What do you think I did, help you just so I could finish the job later?”
Sven didn’t answer immediately, and the hesitation cut deeper than if he’d said yes.
“I don’t think anything.” He rose slowly and stood in front of her. “Why are you here?” His voice was raspy. “Why were you sneaking around the castle?”
Her cheeks heated up again and she dropped her eyes. “I wasn’t sneaking. Well, not intentionally.” She blew out a breath through puffed cheeks. “I saw your picture on a poster and realized that I had comforted a king.” She looked up at him. “Aking! Me. Nothing exciting ever happens to me. So I came to the castle to see if there was like a tour or something. I couldn’t find anything, so I was just looking around. Yes, I was hoping to catch a glimpse of you, I’m not going to lie. But I wasn’t sneaking around like I was casing the joint.” She giggled. “I mean, who robs a castle?”
“Assassins don’t rob the castle.”
“And I don’t help assassins.”
Something flickered in his eyes. A hunger.
“I owe you for helping me. And as far as the others fleeing, they probably didn’t even recognize me. I’m not often out and about alone.”
“Why were you?” She bit her lip. She wasn’t normally so forward, and it really was none of her business, but something about Sven brought out… something.
“I had my reasons. But unfortunately, a very good example of why Lars, head of myroyal guard,is overprotective.”
Heat flooded her face. “Sorry, like I said. I’m not used to royal protocol. Bodyguard is more familiar.”
“Had I listened to him, I never would have been the target of an archer assassin.”
“Makes sense. But I’m not a threat, Sven,” she said softly. Her body leaned a fraction closer. “I’m definitely not here to hurt you.”
The air between them thickened, charged like a storm about to break. His shoulders shifted and his jaw clenched..
And then his hand lifted.
Bryn forgot how to breathe as his fingers brushed her cheek and swept a stray strand of hair away. His light touch was barely there, but it seared her like fire.
She trembled. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears. Every nerve screamed for more.
“Bryn…” His husky voice was low. “That day. You wouldn’t let me go. You told me to stay with you. You kept me alive.”
Her chest tightened and tears burned her eyes. “I couldn’t let you die.”
His thumb lingered near her cheekbone before it slid to rest on her mouth. The world narrowed to that incredible pull between them. If he leaned in another inch and she rose up on her toes, their lips would meet.
Her body ached for it.
“Sven,” she breathed.
His hand slid and cupped her face. His body leaned forward and closed the space.
She could feel the heat of his breath against her lips.
“Sven!”
The shrilly female voice hit worse than a slap.
They jerked apart and Bryn stumbled back a step as Sven’s hand dropped. His jaw tightened and anger darkened his expression.
