After what felt like forever, the back door opened, and she shot to her feet as the prince filled the doorway, followed by Ruth and Rainer.
Amos was handsome, and she liked how the ends of his golden hair curled around his ears and nape. His eyes were a mix of brown and green. Inside, they looked more brown, but outside in the sun, they looked more green. His skin was the same warm beige as hers, and the small smile he shot her made her stomach flip.
His smile widened. Remembering he could feel her stronger emotions, she fought to keep her excitement under control.How embarrassing.
“We’re going to step out to give you two privacy,” Rainer told Clover, ignoring Marcus’ protests. After promising he’d fill her father in on everything, Rainer ushered Clover’s family from the room.
Amos walked slowly through the archway connecting the kitchen and the living room, and stopped. She felt his anxiety as if it were her own, but she also felt his admiration. Her cheeks warmed.
“Hi, Clover.”
His voice did that funny thing where it wobbled between high and low. Her brother Nathaniel’s voice had done the same when he was a teenager. Clover had been young, but she’d remembered how funny it sounded.
Amos cleared his throat. “I’m Amos.” Reaching up, he removed his hat and set it on the closest chair. “This is awkward.”
Clover giggled, then promptly wanted to die. She never giggled. Ruth would never let her live it down if she’d heard. “If it helps, I already thought I was someone’s mate, so the news isn’t as shocking as it could be,” she said.
Amos scowled. “You’re my mate. Not Rennick’s.” She felt a prick of jealousy down their bond and fought a smile.
His brows rose. “What’s so funny?”
Her smile broke free. “You. Being jealous over my other hypothetical mate.”
“Stupid bond,” he muttered under his breath. “Don’t call him your mate. Not even hypothetically.”
Clover planted her hands on her hips. “Don’t tell me what to do.” Amusement buzzed down the bond, and she slitted her eyes. “Why do you like it when I threaten you?”
He shrugged. “I like that you fight back.”
Butterflies erupted in her stomach against her will, and she fought to tamp them down so he wouldn’t know how much he affected her. From the look on his face, she’d failed.
His expression sobered and he motioned for her to sit down, taking the seat beside her. “I have something important to ask you.”
Is he going to ask me to move to the capital with him? Do I want to? Would we share a room? Oh my gods, is he going to ask me to marry him?
His hand closed around her knee. “Calm down. You can say no if you want.” She held her breath. “When I watched you spar with your sister, I realized you’re exactly what I’ve been looking for—for a certain position,” he added.
Position?Okay, this was not going in the direction she’d thought it would.
He waited for her to say something, but when she remained quiet, he continued. “I know you know who Rainer really is, and if he trusts you with that secret, I’ll trust you with mine.”
Every muscle in her body tightened on high alert. Rainer told him he’s an heir?
Amos pinned her with his hazel eyes. “I have a twin sister. Other than my mother’s two best friends and your family, no oneelse knows. Her name is Amelia, and she has been hidden in the Human Kingdom since we were born.”
Clover gaped. She must have looked insane because he laughed quietly. Recovering from the shock, she licked her dry lips. “What does that have to do with me?”
“Now that she is getting older, she needs someone to protect her wherever she goes, but Amelia doesn’t know who she really is,” he explained. “She can’t know she’s being protected.”
Clover rubbed her sternum. “Stop being nervous. It’s itching.”
Amos dropped his head and laughed again. “Sorry.” He sat back, looking older than he was. “I’ve never told anyone outside of your family. It’s hard to trust people.”
“It is.” She reached out and grabbed his hand. “But you can trust me.”
He flipped his hand over and squeezed hers back. “I know.” Sitting forward, he rested his elbows on his knees and looked at her. “You’re as good a fighter as any warrior I’ve sparred with, and you’re Amelia’s age. You’d be the perfect guard for her.”
Being asked to guard a secret heir was the highest honor one could be given, and the fact that he asked Clover almost made her giggle again. “Will she live here with us?”
