He considers this. “It was nice.” Again, his words seem genuine.
“Could you ever see yourself living there?” As soon as the words are out, I want to suck them right back in.
He stares straight ahead, his mouth set in a line and his eyes void of life. “I can never leave my court.” His words hang in the space between us.
“What do you mean?” I push.
He doesn’t respond right away, instead taking several steps in silence, staring straight at the path. “It’s just not an option for me. Marik can leave, but my parents have groomed me into the next Serpent King. I have a responsibility to my people. I don’t take that lightly.”
“Why did you come here then? If you’re not even interested in marrying me?” I try my best to make my tone soft and non-accusatory, but the words still come out harsh.
He turns his head, one eyebrow raised. “I didn’t say—” He stops, then takes a deep breath and turns his gaze back to the path in front of us. His jaw clenches as he considers his next words. “I wanted the chance to meet you, to form a relationship as future King and Queen of our respective courts. It was a diplomatic move.”
Now it’s my turn to raise an eyebrow at him. “With all due respect, Asmo, you haven’t been very diplomatic toward me. You’re doing a shitty job if I’m being honest.”
Again, I want to suck the words right back in. I cringe as they exit my mouth, but surprisingly, he tosses his head back as he laughs. As he does, a single ray of light peeks through the trees, lighting up his smile. As if the Mother Herself has deemed his smile worthy of a spotlight.
His smile fades, and his expression turns somber once again. “No, you’re right. I’m…It’s been hard. I’m sorry.”
I don’t press. His words don’t mean anything to me unless he changes. But even then, would he leave everything he’s worked for to be with me? He’s already said he can’t—or won’t—leave his court for me, which makes every word meaningless.
I ignore the way my heart flutters in his presence. It’s meaningless, after all.
Chapter 20
That night, I meet Koain the foyer of the castle: the beginning and end of each date I’ve been on so far. I’m wearing a simple pleated black dress, the neckline resting just above my collarbones. Nora styled my hair into a half-up, half-down look, with a messy bun holding up the top half of my hair. Loose curls fall on my shoulders.
Koa wears navy blue trousers and a white fitted long-sleeve shirt, showing off the outlines of his chest and biceps beautifully. The simplicity of the outfit, in combination with his dark brown hair, makes his emerald eyes pop.
Of course, he bows when he sees me. I roll my eyes, but he doesn’t notice. He stands, his eyes raking down my body, and says, “Your Highness, you look stunning tonight.”
“Thank you, Koa. You don’t look too bad yourself.”
He holds out his left hand and I take it in mine. His hand dwarfs mine, and some animalistic part of me thrills at it.
“Do you know the way to the library?” I ask him, surprised when he heads in the right direction.
“Someone might have shown me the way earlier.” His grin is mischievous.
When we get to the library, I hesitate before opening the door. “Something’s wrong,” I say, noting the dark interior. There’s always at least one light on inside.
Koa ignores my warning and opens the doors. He steps inside and unfurls his palm.
His magic lights up the entire room. There are candles everywhere. They litter the bookshelves, side tables, and even the floor. My eyes catch on the oversized table in the center of the library. Candles are set in iron candelabras that run down the table. Shades of pink rose petals have been tastefully arranged on the top. Champagne sits in an ice bucket on the table, and a plush blanket is on the floor by the open wall, completed by two large, equally plush pillows. I catch Koa’s eye and raise one eyebrow.
He laughs and says, “I can see what you’re thinking, and that’s not what that’s for.” He points to a small device that I hadn’t noticed before. “That will project recordings of plays. I have my favorite recording on that one for us to watch tonight.”
“You set all of this up?” I ask in disbelief.
“Of course,” he says simply.
“I thought Ivan or someone else from my court was setting up these dates.”
“No,” he says, shaking his head. “Ivan gave us some ideas, but we were given the liberty of choosing the details if we wanted to. I think everyone chose to.”
My jaw drops. That means Marik set up that whole date, and I didn’t thank him for it. August’s was easy. All he had to do was bring a picnic basket. What Koa has done, though, with this space…this must have taken some time, setting out each candle, arranging the rose petals. It’s beautiful.
I swallow, surprised by the sudden swell of emotion I feel toward Koa. “Koa, this must have taken you forever to do.”
