With a steady exhale, I cupped his cheek. “You’re crying,” I muttered.
His shoulders tensed. “I’m not.” He swiped away another tear. “It’s just the seawater here, it’s irritating me – making my eyes hurt.”
“You’recrying,” I said again, taking a breath to steady my anger. “What happened? Was it one of the princesses? Did one of them hurt you?” I swallowed down the rage in my words, hiding it behind a mask of tenderness. He didn’t need anymore anger. He needed comfort. And in the moment, the reason why didn’t matter. “How can I help you feel better?” I whispered.
“You’re already helping,” he murmured, blinking away tears. A brief silence sat between us as I continued to cup his cheek. But then his breath became ragged again. Before I could offer any sort of support, I was pulled tightly against his chest.
“Lukas,” I murmured, surprised. Reaching around his middle, I stroked his back while his shoulders shook with muffled sobs.
“Forgive me,” he rasped. “I can’t stop.”
“You don’t have to,” I said into his shoulder. “Just take deep steady breaths.” My palms rubbed his back in soothing circles. “In and out, slowly… It’ll help.”
Our breathing became one as we inhaled and exhaled together. My fingers stroked his back with each deep breath.
“That’s good,” I said as his breathing slowed to a less alarming level. “When we get back to the palace, I’m making you some tea.”
“I’d like that,” he murmured. I could hear a slight smile in his voice. But then he straightened and stepped back, forcing his entire body away from mine.
“What is it?” All my concern came rushing back.
“Forges Naria.” He panted, running a hand through his hair. “You must never speak of that to anyone.” His fingers gripped the balcony, tipping his head back, but when his eyes met mine again, all the fear drained from them.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked, voice raw.
“Like what?” My head tilted.
“Like you do not see me as any less than you did before.”
“Why would I?” I laughed softly as I bridged the gap between us, my thumb brushing over his cheek. “You’re talking with someone who cries enough for an entire kingdom.”
Lukas studied me for a moment. “But kings aren’t supposed to cry… It’s shameful.”
“‘Shameful’?” I repeated, disgust twisting at my face. “Why, if you don’t cry when you see me walking down the aisle on our wedding day, I swear I’ll turn right back around and walk out the way I came.” Stepping closer, I pressed my hand against his bare chest, trying my hardest not to give away how molten my bones were feeling.
“Listen to me,” I started in a low voice. “If you do not wish for me to share what happened today, then your tearsare safe with me. They always will be. But trust me when I say,” I drew closer, not missing the way his breath hitched, “no amount of crying will ever change the respect I have for you. You aresostrong, and the bravest person I know.”
“Naria…” he rasped. More words hovered by his lips, desperate to fill the water between us. But instead of speaking them, his hands took over. One hand brushed my chin while the other trailed down to cup my elbow.
Shifting closer, his gaze fell to my lips. “How is it you always know just what to say to make me feel better?”
“I’m a healer, remember?” I teased, but my smile didn’t match his.
Glancing towards the ballroom, he asked seriously, “Do you think I’m sick?”
“Of course not.”
“Just broken then.” He swallowed.
“There’s nothing wrong with you.” Frowning, I took his face in my hands, forcing his gaze away from the party. “But even if there was, it wouldn’t change anything. I don’t care about your past or what other people might think of you. I wouldn’t even care if you grew a long fishtail like that unhinged queen in there, because it doesn’t matter. All I see is you.” My heart fluttered as his gaze pierced mine. “Every part. The light, the dark. And I want it all, Lukas. I want you—”
His lips clashed against mine before I could finish. Dropping his arms to my waist, a satisfied growl rumbled through him. The noise vibrated through my chest, and I sighed. When his tongue ran along the seam of my mouth, I wanted to melt.
And I almost did, until a burst of red hair poppedthrough the door making us both jump apart.
“Oh! There you are!” Adriana grinned before her attention focused on Lukas. “Your disappearance caused such chaos amongst my sisters. It was wonderful to watch. Please do it again.”
Whatever moment that had lingered between us had gone, disappearing amongst the now departing jellyfish.
