He releases a frustrated breath. “I worry about you, that’s all. I’m not trying to tell you who to spend your time with. I’m just… worried.”
“Well, good thing I’m training now,” I say with a grin.
His mouth hangs open like he wants to say more, but he stops himself and closes it. His eyes soften as he reaches out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
“You know,” he says, barely above a whisper. “We never got to finish what we started that night. Never really got to talk about it.”
“I—” Looking up into his deep green eyes, it suddenly feels all wrong. “Adrian, I’m really tired. I can’t do this tonight. I’m sorry…”
He pulls back, disappointed, and before he can say anything further, I turn, open my door, and shut myself inside.
I collapse onto my bed, holding my forearms over my eyes.
No, that didn’t feel right at all. I’ve felt that weightless, breathless, floating feeling when I’m locked in someone’s gaze, but it wasn’t a pair of green eyes.
It was a deep, moody blue.
Chapter 25
At breakfast the next morning, I sit in a corner by myself while I shovel food in my face and drink a few sips of tea with urgency. I should have just had it delivered to my room.
I’m trying to avoid Adrian… among other people.
But, of course, most people in the castle eat in the main dining hall. They don’t all have the luxuries of a princess, including having meals hand-delivered to their doors.
Meela is the first to find me.
“What happened to you yesterday?” I ask through a mouthful of food.
“Well, after I laid down for a nap, I never woke back up. Until this morning.”
I laugh.
“I’m sort of embarrassed to admit this, but… my legs feel a little sore today.”
“Mine too,” I tell her through my chuckles.
“We’re pathetic.”
“Yeah.”
“So, are we heading back up today after breakfast or what?”
“Really?”
“What?”
“You actually want to go back?” I ask, incredulous.
“You said we were, so I planned on it. It’s not like I have anything better to do.” She side-eyes me with a mischievous grin. “Plus, maybe we’ll get to witness more hot, shirtless males fighting.”
I snort. “Yeah, um… I’m not going back up there today.”
“What? Why not?”
“It’s complicated…”
“Who are you avoiding?”
