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“Says the guy who is single-handedly hijacking mine.” The cold leather of his cape presses into my cheek, my grip tightening as I laugh. I have to laugh, to keep from crying in this bizarre new world that is my life.

“I have an idea. Why don’t you go back to sleep and continue snoring, and I’ll wake you when we are ready to camp for the night.”

“I do not snore!” I vehemently deny, causing him to laugh.

“Whatever you say, Princess.”

“Whatever indeed,” I huff, refusing to believe him. “But in all seriousness, my legs feel numb, and I really need to stretch them.”

He looks around our surroundings, his gaze narrowing on something straight ahead in the distance. “I think I spot the perfect place for us to stop for the night.”

“Are you sure? We can keep going for a little longer.”

“No, it’s fine. The horse needs to rest for another long day tomorrow as well.”

We ride for another couple minutes until he stops next to a ginormous, gnarled tree that has a hollowed, carved center in the middle, with an icy stream running right beside it. He hops off the horse and turns to help me down, his hands holding me tightly as he lifts me to him, and my body slides down his, torturing us both. He ties the horse around the tree and removes the saddle and tends to Eclipse.

“What kind of horse is she?” Finally able to get a good look at the horse I’ve just spent hours on, I reach out to pet her, and she jerks her head back.

“Palm up,” he instructs, taking my hand in his and turning it over. I allow her to sniff me before feeling the coat of black velvet.

“He… is a Friesian. Graceful and nimble for their size, which is a must traveling in the mountains.”

“Well, he is beautiful. Yes, you are, aren’t you.” He watches me from the corner of his eye while I baby talk the horse and palm his soft muzzle before moving out of Riven’s way so he can unpack.

While he does that, I walk up to the tree and touch its bark, mesmerized by the white, splotchy texture and shape of the twisted trunk.

“One person can comfortably fit inside the tree for protection; two is a snug fit. You should sleep, and I will stand guard.” He unwraps a blanket from the pack and places it inside the tree.

“You need your rest too.”

“Your safety is more important than sleep, Princess.” He stares at me briefly before pulling out more supplies from his bag.

I need you more, I want to tell him. But I don’t. I can’t.

“Here, eat something.” He hands me a large red apple from his bag, and I eye it with great suspicion.

“I promise it’s not poisoned,” he says in bemusement. He takes a bite of it first and chews. “See? Harmless.” He hands it back to me, but my eyes are trained on the corner of his lips, where a bit of juice drips down. Before I can stop myself, I reach up and lightly brush it away with my thumb. He grabs my wrist before I can pull it away, and I wordlessly watch as he takes my thumb in his mouth and sucks.

“Delicious.” His grey eyes hold mine as the warmth of his tongue sends electricity racing through my arm, straight to my core, and I gasp. His mouth releases my thumb, and I swiftly pull my hand out of his grasp and look away, my cheeks feeling as if they are on fire from the heat of my blush. I eat my apple in solitude, alone with my salacious thoughts, while he checks on Eclipse.

Several minutes pass, and the howling wind picks up when he appears at the opening of the tree. He doesn’t say a word, and neither do I.

I shift, allowing him to slide beside me, and he covers us both in his large leather cape, pulling me to him. I settle into his arms, and for the first time in my life, I fall into an almost dreamless sleep.

Chapter 15

Riven

“Now will you tell me?” Adelaide shifts in my lap again, making this the longest ride of my entire life. My palm is splayed over her abdomen, holding her tightly to me as she practices leading Eclipse with the reins. She’s a natural.

I’m tempted to stop and have her sit behind me instead, but today, we’ll cover a rockier terrain, and I feel safer having her here, in my arms. The friction of her firm ass pressed against me is a special kind of torture, and I don’t dare shift back in my saddle. I’m a masochist like that.

“Tell you what?” I ask, trying to focus on the words she’s saying rather than the way she feels, soft and delicate. The way she smells, apples and jasmine.

“About this place—or rather, my place in all this. How did I get there—or here? Wherever here is. It’s later, after all.” She reminds me of my earlier words to her.

“Haeream—this realm—is made up of the Twelve, or twelve kingdoms. And Haeream overlaps where you are from. Like the frosting on layers of a cake.”