So many questions plague my mind before I fall asleep again.
~
At breakfast, Raef and Rhydra annoy me with their cheerfulness. I thought that little shit wasn’t a morning person, but he’s acting incredibly too happythis morning. So I mostly keep my head down, and I think Daegan does the same, though I don’t look too hard.
When we’re done, I head for my room again. I’m not sure what our plans are for today, but we’re not heading for the castle just yet, so I guess we have some idle time.
“Stop.”
I freeze at the end of the hallway, then turn and face him.
He stalks toward me with determination and a different expression than yesterday.
“We’re done with this.” My stomach sinks like a rock in a pond with an endless depth.
“What?”
“You don’t have feelings for that fucking creep Adrian, right?”
“No…” I shake my head in disgust.
“Then we’re done pretending there’s not still something between us. I see the way you look at me. I’m not a fool.” His eyes soften as he steps closer. “I don’t know what you went through, and I want you to talk to me about it when you’re ready, but our time is fucking precious and I’m done pretending. I’m not wasting another night being away from you.”
“I’m not… trying to pretend. I’m just afraid.”
“Of what?”
“Of what you’ll think of me? And yes, I was afraid you had come to your senses and realized that caring about me was stupid, reckless, and a waste of time.”
He steps closer, his eyes burning with intensity. “I could never think poorly of you. You’re everything. Whatever you went through to still be here, I would never think less of you for.”
I offer a weak nod. “I’m not ready just yet, but… I want to tell you everything. And I want to hear everything… if you want to share…”
He nods, then wraps me in his arms in a tight embrace that feels like coming home. I release the biggest sigh of relief.
“Don’t ever ignore my knocks at your door again, Princess,” he mumbles into my hair. “At least open it and tell me to fuck off so I know you’re alive in there.”
I pull back. “You came?”
“Yes.”
“I… didn’t hear you.” I can’t believe that, since I was up most of the night waiting for him. It must have been right after I fell asleep.
“You’re lucky I didn’t break the door in. Kezra came and assured me you were fine, then told me to fuck off and let you have your rest.”
“She did not say that.”
“Close enough,” he mumbles, rubbing a thumb along his chin.
“I thought you didn’t…”
“I will always be there,” he says softly. “I promised.”
“Thank you.” My chest swells with warmth.
He grabs my hand, turns, and leads me away from the rooms. “Let’s take a ride.”
Once again, I find myself sitting snuggly in front of him on a horse with his strong arms surrounding me.
