“You’re welcome.”
And for a split second nothing else exists—not the market, not the stall and not Nightmare.
I’m acutely aware of how warm she is, how her curves align with my body, how every place we touch, her heat sinks into me.
My eyes drop to her lips—soft, slightly parted.
And when I gaze back up, she’s staring at my mouth.
Never have I wanted to kiss someone more than I do right now.
“You almost killed the new queen,” the stall owner shouts at the man who caused the disaster.
Chelsea drags her gaze from mine and looks at the man. “It’s okay. It was an accident.”
But no one hears her. What they hear instead isnew queen.
Seconds later we’re surrounded by people pressing forward with gifts.
“A new necklace for the queen!”
“Take these spices!”
“And this hat!”
Chelsea's eyes go wide, overwhelmed. She looks up at me—help?—and I fight the urge to pull her closer, protect her from the sudden onslaught. But that's not what she needs. She needs to meet them.
Ever so slowly I release my hold on her. She slips from my arms, and as soon as she’s gone, my heart gives a painful thud.
No!Nightmare wails.Get her back! We almost had her! We were THIS CLOSE!
I know. Believe me, I know.
Chelsea turns to face the crowd, that bright smile on her face, and begins accepting gifts with grace and warmth. Thanking each person. Learning their names.
And I stand there, arms empty, watching her charm an entire market full of people who've been wary of their king for ten years.
She's magnificent.
It looks like I won’t have a revolt on my hands after all. One market visit and she's won them over.
She spots me and grabs me by the arm, yanking me to her side. “Thank you so much, everyone. Thank you.”
Someone hands her a bouquet of red roses, and another person presses clothing into her hands. Her arms are full, so I gently take the gifts and hold them.
She turns to me and smiles.
It feels like nothing will ever be the same.
And Nightmare is silent, which scares me even more.
Nightmare?
Nothing.
Are you there?
I'm here,it finally whispers.I'm just… I don't have words for this.
