I blinked a few times before glancing at Lukas. For once, even he didn’t seem to know what to say.
“Where is Queen Cora?” I asked them, swallowing down the pride in my chest. I’d have to find Ivy and the others. They’d be thrilled to hear the impact our little temporary clinic made.
Sadie swirled her champagne glass. “I’m not entirely sure. She had to leave along with Ronan about an hour ago – something happened with her son, I believe. He wasn’t feeling well or something of the sort.”
My eyebrows drew closer together. “Does he need my help? I can check him over.”
“Better to leave it for now.” Colette patted my shoulder. “Raphael’s always been a weak child, but he’ll recover. He always does.”
“You also have a party to enjoy,” Sadie added, gesturing to the bustling dance floor. “But please, before I forget, we’d love for you to speak with us later about potentially bringing a clinic to Dalking.” I raised an eyebrow at her words. “There were a few Corlixins who moved to our towns after the Great Blaze, but it appears they may be a little out of practice after all these years…” Her lips thinned. “Perhaps you could organise sending some better healers to visit us, and in return we can provide the necessary timber for your rebuilding efforts? There’s plenty of sickness in Dalking, and we’ve more than enough trees and carpenters to compensate you for dealing with it.”
Lukas’s hand wrapped around mine, squeezing it enough to calm my shaking. This was huge. With Dalking’s help, houses and shops would be rebuilt in no time. All ourhospitals too!
“Just something to think about.” Colette passed me a knowing smile. Then she turned to her wife, sweeping up her arm. “Speaking of enjoying the party. Shall we?” She motioned with her head towards the dance floor just as the musicians began to start up a new song. Sadie grinned, and the two queens bid us goodbye before disappearing into the twirling crowds.
The moment they were gone, I spun to face Lukas, a smile growing across my jaw. But then my smile faded. There was no joy or relief on the King of Drothmore’s face. Instead, there was something much darker. It was enough to turn my knees to jelly.
“What is it?” I asked carefully.
He said nothing, until finally, after a few tense moments, he placed his empty glass on a passing servant’s tray and tugged me away from the dance floor.
“Did I do something wrong? Are you angry with me?” My questions remained unanswered as he pulled me through the crowds. Even as we reached the back of the courtyard, passing decorated tables covered in seafood platters and exotic vegetables, he stayed silent, now focused on leading me around a dense cluster of palm trees. “Lukas,” I hissed.
“I’m not angry,” he chuckled when we’d walked far enough into the trees to leave the party behind us.
“Then what are you—” My breath caught as he stepped towards me, forcing me back until my shoulders hit bark. I could barely see his face with the low evening light that sliced through the palm trees. But what I could see looked intense, hungry.
“Are you okay?” I breathed, heart drumming in my ears.
He shook his head. “You infuriate me sometimes, you know that, don’t you?” He smirked as his hands pressed against the bark either side of my head.
“What do you mean?” My lips parted.
He let out a low laugh, drawing closer. “I mean, you go against all my advice, break the rules constantly. It’s as if I’ve brought you here merely to cause as much chaos as you can.” One of his hands brushed my cheek as I shuddered.
I never meant to break any rules. I’d never even had a detention back at my school in Honeymeade. But if those rules stopped me from helping people, or involved silly words like ‘princesses shouldn’t be mixing with peasants’, then I’d be happy to break them – no matter the consequences.
“And yet still.” Lukas’s silky tone drew me back. “It doesn’t seem to matter how much chaos you cause amongst the other rulers, and for me.” His voice deepened. “Everyone seems to like you, your people love you, and I,” his gaze locked onto mine, “can’t stop thinking about you all the damned time.”
My mouth opened. Closed again.
“Tell me I’m going insane, Naria,” he rasped as if in pain. “Surely you of all people can give me some medical explanation for the way I feel right now.”
My lower lip trembled. “I don’t think you’re insane…” I swallowed thickly. “And I—” But anything else I wanted to say trailed off into a gasp as his lips collided with mine.
CHAPTER 18
Our limbs tangled against the palm tree until Lukas scooped me up and held me by my backside. I gasped against his lips, but then my legs locked around his waist, and my hands flew to his hair, burying themselves into the thick strands. I wanted to touch him everywhere. I wantedhimto touchmeeverywhere.
When his tongue stroked mine, I sighed blissfully. The sound was enough to elicit a growl from his chest and he held me tighter.
I could feel myself sinking, drowning, until Lukas pulled away for air.
“I want to marry you the moment we arrive back inDrothmore,” he said, panting. “I’d marry you right here if I could, the entire party can be our witness.Forges, Naria.” His lips brushed against mine, making my heart stutter.
“I’d like that.” I smiled. “But I also want a big wedding, with flowers, and all my friends there to watch.” I pressed my hand against his shoulder, stroking my thumb against his shirt. “Besides, Raena would kill me if I didn’t let her help plan it,” I teased.
“Then we shall have a big wedding,” Lukas agreed. Holding me up with one hand, he brought up the other to clasp mine, kissing my palm softly. “Anything you want, you shall have. I’ll make sure of it.”
