His hand slips from my lips, and for a moment, I think he might say more.
But he doesn’t.
Instead, he leans in, his mouth brushing over mine—a languid kiss, lingering just long enough to leave warmth behind.
Then, before I can even think to pull him back, he shifts, slipping from the bed, the sheets rustling as he reaches for his clothes.
I watch him from where I lie, my body still tingling from his touch, my mind swirling with his words. I don’t want him to go, but he knows I won’t be able to think clearly with him in my bed.
He doesn’t wait for me to speak again.
Because he doesn’t want my answer yet.
For a single second, something flashes in his expression. Worry? Doubt? I remember that look, and it pains me. It’s the same way his face looked when Torbin forced me to lie to Dante, when he told me I had to send him away and tell him he meant nothing to me.
Dante has to know I never meant that. I want to reassure him, but he speaks first.
“Tomorrow,” he says, as if reading my thoughts. “Tell me tomorrow.”
The door clicks softly behind him, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I don’t need a night to think about it. There’s no need to wait until tomorrow. Because I already know.
Of course I love him.
ChApter
Forty-Five
Asoft sound stirs me from sleep.
I blink against the darkness, my body sluggish with exhaustion. The room is still, save for the faint flicker of moonlight coming in through the window.
A whisper of movement makes my ears perk.
My pulse kicks up as I push up onto my elbows. My eyes scan the room, searching, and then I spot something on the floor. A slip of parchment, just beneath my door.
Frowning, I throw off the covers and move toward it, the cool air raising goosebumps on my skin. I pick up the note, my breath catching as I unfold it.
Meet me at the stables.
I blink at the familiar slant of Dante’s handwriting, and a rush of warmth floods my chest.
I chew my lip, glancing toward the window. It’s still dark outside, not an ideal time to head to the stables. But perhaps Dante can’t wait until tomorrow for my answer. Maybe he is desperate to know what I’mgoing to say, just as desperately as I want to say it.
Technically, it is tomorrow already—past midnight, at least.
Excitement flutters in my stomach as I pull on my clothes, my hands clumsy in my haste. I know my answer. I want to tell him. I want to say it aloud. I don’t want anything more to stand in the way of us being together. It’s taken months just to get to this point.
I reach for my boots, but I’m still a little groggy and end up dropping one. As I slip one on, the adjoining door creaks open, and I look up to find Nadya watching me sleepily.
“Celeste,” she mumbles, rubbing her eyes. “What are you doing?”
“Nothing,” I say quickly, stuffing the note into my pocket. “Sorry I was loud. Go back to bed.”
Her gaze sharpens slightly as she looks me over. “Did you take Ezra’s powder? To make sure you won’t wander?”
I sigh. “I’m not wandering, Nadya.” I shove my foot into the last boot, lacing it quickly. “I’m meeting Dante.”
Nadya’s brow furrows, her sleepiness fading. “At this hour?”
