When I glance back up, fae light flickers across Ronan’s face, making him look positively angelic.
The prince leans in close, bringing with him the scent of cider and citrus. “Have you seen the Black Rose gardens yet, Kerris?” he whispers.
“Not yet.” Truth be told, I didn’t even know there were gardens.
The prince takes my glass straight out of my hand and gives it to Trevor. “Come with me and I’ll show you.” His hand falls over my fingers braced at his elbow as he brings me out a back door and into the moon-kissed night.
This isn’t a garden; this is an entirely new world. One where roses rule and fuchsias abound. Redbrick paths cut through the maze of blooms, with the occasional bench tucked into shadowed alcoves.
“I’ve never seen anything as beautiful as this.”
Ronan plucks a lilac from a branch, twirling the stem between his fingers before handing the flower to me. “And I’ve never seen anything as beautiful as you.”
Warmth bubbles in my chest, threatening to spill out in a giggle.
“Tell me about you, Kerris. About life in Gravale.”
Where do I even begin? “The village is small, and the population is aging. Most of those with children have relocated to the towns and cities off the mountains, where the land isn’t as unforgiving.” In Gravale, one wrong step or strong gust of wind, and you could find yourself plummeting to your death.
“That sounds atrocious. No wonder you left. Is your family still there?”
“My older brother Theo moved to Applewood six months ago. But my father loves the mountains, so he chose to remain. He raises goats.” I think he might love the goats more than the mountains. “My mother…” That familiar ache pinches my heart. “She passed when I was five.”
You’d think that after almost twenty years, the heavy weight of grief would have subsided. All it does is burrow deeper into your marrow, rearing its ugly head when you least expect it.
I don’t want to be sad tonight, not when I’m lost in the moonlight with a handsome prince. “Tell me about your family, Prince Ronan.”
“Just Ronan is fine. There’s no need for such formalities between us.” His fingers caress mine with soft, sensual strokes. “As for me, I have no brothers or sisters. Both my parents are still living—much to my mother’s chagrin.” Impossibly blue eyes lock with mine, wide pupils reflecting the waning moon. His head tilts, bringing us within a whisper of each other. “Can I tell you a secret—something I’ve never told anyone?”
Tell me all your secrets.
All your fears.
All your dreams.
I’ll keep them safe in my heart.
“Of course.”
His chest brushes against mine with his heavy exhale. “Part of me wishes I wasn’t born a prince. My true passion—oh, never mind. You’re sure to think I’m mad if I tell you.”
“I won’t. I swear.”
“All right, then. My true passion lies in carpentry. In building things that will last forever.”
The forgotten lilac still pinched between my fingers brushes against my skirts. How intriguing. A carpenter prince. “What sort of things do you build?”
The corners of his lips lift into the tiniest, most mischievous smile. “How about I call by your uncle’s cottage on Thursday and show you?”
He wants to see me again.Me. The daughter of a goat farmer. When I tell Theo, he’ll think I’m spinning yarns.
Could this night get any better?
“I would like that very much.”
His perfect smile stretches across his handsome face as his gaze drops to my lips.
Is he going to kiss me? He is! Prince Ronan Reve is about to kiss me.
