Izel’s hand freezes midway to her wine. Color drains from her face.
Rowan tilts his head, eyes gleaming. “What’s wrong, Lady Izel? Old stories unsettle you?”
Kade looks between them, confusion flickering into alertness, but he says nothing. The rest of dinner proceeds in brittle silence.
When it ends, Rowan declines the guest wing and requests quarters beneath the Queen’s Wing instead, claiming that royalty like him deserves no less. Kade hesitates, but then his honour overpowers him—or maybe, since the conversation was witnessed by so many, he just couldn’t afford to disrespect the man who saved his child. So, he agrees.
PROMISES
Freya
Sleep evades me, knowing that Rowan is right here, sleeping beneath my chamber. My gaze darts to the balcony, and I recall what happened there when he appeared as a projection. I’d been consumed by the need for comfort and affection, and in that state, I’d told him that the next time we saw each other, I wanted him to kiss me.
That thought keeps swirling in my mind, making my heart race erratically, until I can’t stay still anymore.
He’s not going to do it,I tell myself.He understands the risk.
Nyx doesn’t help.‘He’s the King of rogues,’she tells me.‘Do you think he fears anyone?’
I sigh, knowing the answer. He was never meek. He did what he wanted. He never cowered from showing his true feelings, and that is what got him banished and into the hands of the rogues. And there, he rose to power.
He’s strong. He has always been. And he has always been kind to me. He has never hurt me in any way—never made me uncomfortable. His love for me is pure and unconditional and without expectations. I don’t even know if I deserve it, but Iknow that Icraveit. And right now, all I want to do is ask him if he still means it.
Before I can stop myself, I pull my robe from the chair and wrap it around myself. I press a kiss to Finn and Ivy’s forehead, then I make my way down the stairs to where I know Rowan is sleeping. Two of his rogues guard the chamber door, making me halt. I consider turning back, but my feet carry me forward. One of them bows low and then enters the chamber, returning a few seconds later to tell me, “You may enter, Luna Freya.”
I swallow the lump that has formed in my throat.
What am I doing?
Rowan is sitting on a desk, studying a scroll. But something tells me he’s only pretending. He hastily rises when I walk to him. His lips part, and I open my mouth to speak at the same time.
Then we both pause.
Rowan breaks the silence that settles. “You wanted to say something?”
“I—I couldn’t sleep,” I stammer, blushing with embarrassment. What do I expect him to do aboutmyinsomnia?
Rowan holds my gaze, waiting.
I shake my head, looking away. “I thought you’d visit.”
“I wasn’t sure if you wanted me to,” he explains calmly, the hint of a smile playing on his lips.
I nod slowly.Of course.“Thank you,” I say. “For saving Finn’s life. And mine. I don’t know how I could ever repay you.”
“I was only honouring my promise of protecting you.”
I meet his gaze, and my heart swells with some emotion, closing my throat before I force myself to look away. “Rowan…”
“Yes, Freya,” he rasps, moving closer, his breath fanning my face. His fingers instinctively brush hair away from my cheekand hook beneath my chin, tilting my head up. Our eyes meet, and I shudder with need.
I never let myself want him before because I knew I wasn’t allowed to. Now there are no bounds. I’m free, and the only thing holding me back is myself.
Rowan’s green eyes have darkened, watching me with an intensity that makes me feel exposed, but it doesn’t scare me. I know I’m safe with him. I’m certain he’d never break my heart if I hand it over to him.
Rising on my toes, I seal his lips with mine. He responds with a groan that erupts at the back of his throat, and it’s like the ties holding his arms break free. They wrap around my waist, pulling me up and closer until I’m pressed against his chest. My arms hook around his neck as he deepens the kiss, exploring my mouth with his tongue, flooding me with pleasure, and weakening my knees.
I’m limp against him, held upright only by his strong grip. Only my lips are moving against his, trying to match the sweet, maddening rhythm he’s setting. His hand travels the curve of my waist up my back and grips my neck, fingers burying into my hair, making me moan. It unravels him. He lifts me up effortlessly, locking my legs around his waist, and presses me against the wall. I’m out of breath, and so happy at the same time that I smile against his lips.
