Page 98 of Her Ivory Flame

“The lilac you gave me that day in the garden,” she whispered. “It was from here wasn’t it?”

She glanced up at him, the lantern casting light on his face that perfectly showed his handsome features. Half of his hair was up in a bun, the rest draping down his shoulder with a loose strand framing his face.

To her, he was perfect.

“Yes.” he nodded. “I wanted to make sure you wouldn’t break again and thought it would help.”

She didn’t know what to say, her mind lost for words but squeezed his hand in thanks, hoping he would understand. His thumb brushed across her hand and she felt a shutter go down her spine.

As angry as she was at him, he did it to protect her people and keep himself safe. She couldn’t fault him for that, and knew if the situation was reversed she would have done the same.

“Kaden,” she whispered, halting them halfway down the path next to a break in the trees that showed a large meadow to one side. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” A confused look formed on his face.

“I shouldn’t have used my power on you, no matter how angry I was at you. I knew deep down you weren’t dangerous.” She looked down at their joined hands, his much larger than hers.

“I’m glad that you did, always defend yourself when you feel the need to.” he shrugged. “Even if you thought you trusted them.”

He pulled their hands up to his mouth and pressed his lips to the back of her hand. She found his eyes then staring at her with nothing but a calming gaze and the thread between them hummed for the first time.

“I do trust you,” she breathed softly.

A confession she had been burying deep down within the last day and found that maybe letting it out would make her feel better.

She cupped the side of his face with her free hand, his skin warm against her cold hands and she lifted herself to him, pressing her lips to his cheek.

The thread hummed once more and she felt her stomach get butterflies again just like on their travels that first night.

He stood frozen as she lowered herself back down stepping closer to him, her eyes still looking at his.

“However, I will destroy you if you betray me, I have a pretty mean high kick.” she smirked.

He chuckled and pressed a kiss to her forehead, that feeling of adoration pouring from him again and all she wanted to do was stay in this moment.

“I want to show you something,” he whispered and continued to tug her back along the path with their hands still intertwined.

Chapter 36

She followed in silence, her eyes wandering around the forest trying to take in the familiar scenery. She had thought she would never see this place again, and yet she was here because of him.

They made it down to the town, the streets mostly empty and lights lit the small windows in each home. Only a few were completely black meaning no one lived there or maybe they went to bed early.

A small child ran out in front of them, a wooden sword falling onto the ground that he was about to pick up. When they got closer, the little one’s eyes glanced at them and widened.

“Kaden!” the boy yelled and ran closer to them. “You are back. Did you happen to see the princess again?”

She giggled next to him, Kaden’s hand lightly squeezing her.

“Who do you think I brought down to see you?” Kaden smiled and she watched the boy look up at her with wide eyes.

“Hello there.” She smiled and bent down at the waist so she was closer to him. “What is your name?”

The boy stood frozen in shock and it wasn’t until she pulled her free hand in front of her with a small flame dancing on it that the boy moved.

“It is her!” he yelled. “Everyone, the princess is back!”

The boy lunged for her and wrapped his small arms around her waist, her hand having to let go of Kaden to balance.