I smiled. “That sounds perfect.”
Chapter Fifteen
A Muffin with Benefits
I felt better after a nap. The snuggles with Lake had helped too. Cuddling with him in the garden, beneath the shade of an oak tree, had recharged my batteries. Now, I was ready to take on the world.
Or, you know, at least walk around the castle without dragging my feet like a zombie. Small victories counted too. And where did those feet lead me?
The greenhouse.
Without overthinking it or second-guessing myself, I opened the door and stepped inside. The subtle change in temperature welcomed warmer air that felt nice on my slightly chilled skin. Rays of the late-afternoon sun came through the glass dome and kissed the leaves of tropical plants and trees that were uncommon to this area. Cascading water pooled into a lazy stream that flowed past the lush greenery and added a touch of tranquility.
Among the floral and earthy scents, I caught another. Cedar and woodsmoke. I followed the trail, letting my nose guide me.
He found me first.
“It seems you are becoming quite the nuisance,” came a smooth voice to my left. Lord Onyx stood on a path lined with long stemmed purple and yellow flowers, a book tucked under his arm. “Once again finding me when I crave solitude.”
“First of all, rude.” I held up one finger, then lifted another. “Second of all, I came for the ambience. I had no idea you were here.”
“The ambience,” he repeated, eyes narrowed.
“Yep.” I motioned to our surroundings. “It’s like I’m in the rainforest or vacationing somewhere tropical. My own little oasis. You were right about it being peaceful. And seeing howsomeone, I won’t name names but you definitely know him, stressed me out and kept me awake, tossing and turning all night, I needed some peaceful vibes in my life.”
“I’m sure thatsomeonehad his reasons,” Onyx said, his emotions locked up like Fort Knox. His ability to stay so composed and give no insight into his true feelings was annoying. It also made him fit in perfectly with the rest of my men. He and Maddox were like two peas in a stubborn pod.
“Well, then, it’d be great if he explained them.” I stepped toward him, slow and unsure. “Because I’m at a loss here, Onyx.”
“Interesting how you address me so casually. Without title.”
“Oh, pardon me, Your Highness.” I stopped in front of him on the path and performed a little bow, one hand going to my belly and the other tucking behind me. “Is that better?”
Part of mewasworried about my slip of the tongue. Referring to him by name to my men was one thing, but I needed to be more careful when speaking to him. Fated mate or not, he was still the ruler of this realm.
“No,” he responded, eyes still narrowed. “Yet, I should expect nothing more of a meddlesome pest.”
“Ouch.” I clutched my chest. “Yesterday, you said you were drawn to me, and now you call me a pest. Here I thought we had something special. Was Ithatbad of a kisser?”
Finally, a spark of emotion showed in his eyes. Like a piece of his mask had chipped away, revealing something raw underneath. “No. Far from it.”
“Then what happened?” I asked, losing my playful tone. The rawness in his eyes had penetrated my system and reflected inmy voice with those three words. “Why did you get so mad at me?”
“You’re mistaken.” Lord Onyx dropped his gaze to the patch of purple flowers. “My anger was directed not at you but at myself.”
“Why?”
“So many questions,” he said with a half-smile. It seemed sad, like more of his mask had crumbled away. “Answering them will only complicate matters further.”
“How? And yes, before you say anything, I’m aware that’s another question.”
His smile rapidly disappeared, leaving behind a rawness in his eyes. “Why must you do this to me, little bird?”
“Do what?”
“Make me feel.” He tipped his face toward the glass ceiling. Sunlight bounced off his porcelain skin and amplified the subtle orange threads in his eyes, adding to the vibrant red. “Emotions serve no purpose. They get in the way and cause unnecessary trouble. Yet, when around you, I find the ice in my heart thawing, bit by bit. And I protest it, wishing to stay as I am. Unaffected by such weakness.”
He feels it too.Our bond. The constant back and forth with him had made me doubt if he did, but it was clear in that moment. An unmistakable truth.
