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A look of uncertainty flashes on Lily’s face, and a knot forms in my stomach, but I can’t place why. Divinus powers are just part of being a royal in Omnia.
Junie rises to stand. Her elegant dress is a stark contrast to the green forest, deep-blue water, and gray stones around us. She strides toward me, patting my arm as she passes.
She joins Breton, ready to head into the Lux castle, Brightwick. I can feel Breton’s eyes burning into the back of my head.
“Tell him I’m not in the guard so he can’t summon me, Breton.” My words are harsh, but the tone is meant for my father, not the messenger.
As general of the guard, my father has been pushing me to enlist for as long as I can remember. Claiming I need to “follow in his footsteps,” when what I wish to be is a scholar. I dream of days filled with learning and teaching, not combat and training.
Breton lets out an exhausted sigh, and I turn to look at him. His long, black hair is pulled into a tight bun, allowing the streaks of white to show distinctly. His indigo and silver formal uniform complements Junie’s dress perfectly.
“I told him that would be your answer, but he ordered me to ask. He should know by now you’re too smart for his antics—being a future scholar and all.” Breton gives me a wink before extending an arm for Junie. I smile as the two of them head back up the gravel hill to the castle.
As I turn back around, a dark shadow skirts the ground between Lily and me. Above, an all-black bird circles us. I squint, trying to get a better look. As if catching my gaze, the bird quickly darts toward the forest on the other side of the riverbank, out of view.
“What kind of bird was that?” Lily asks, obviously as confused as I am.
“I’m not sure, but it’s not a bird of Lux. I’ll see what I can find out about it in the library tomorrow.” I try to sound reassuring, but the perplexing knot in my stomach grows.
My gaze falls to Lily—like it always seems to do. I often catch myself staring helplessly at her beautiful face, wishing she would see me as more than a friend. I wonder if she has ever thought we could be Amari, like in the stories our mothers told us as children. Two souls bound together through this lifetime and, if I’m lucky, all that comes after.
Her eyes meet mine and my breath hitches. My gaze trails down to her soft, pink lips, desperately wishing she would be my first and only kiss.
“Theo.” Lily’s voice is breathy, and I close my eyes at the way my name sounds on her lips. It makes my heart flutter in ways I’ve never felt before.
“Hmmm,” is the only response I can muster. When I open my eyes, a smile curls one side of her lips, and I swear it’s the most perfect one in all the realm.
“You never answered Junie’s question,” her voice is low as she chews on the inside of her cheek, her eyes cast down again, staring at the ground. She looks as nervous as I feel.
Does her heart reach for mine, too?A wave of hope rushes through me at the thought. I step toward her, taking a deep breath to ease my anxiety.
“I might like someone.”
I take another step closer as the stones click under my boots.
“Do you?” I ask, unable to disguise the hope in my voice.
Her breaths are rapid as I close the distance between us. My heart nearly bursts from my chest. Her eyes slowly rise from the ground as I stand before her. When her gaze finally reaches mine, it feels as if the realm around us falls away, leaving only us in this moment.
“You,” is all she says.
One word and I’m falling to my knees, kneeling in front of where she still sits on the boulder. The smooth stones on the ground dig into my skin. I cup her face and pull her into me. When our mouths finally meet, I find that her lips are softer than I had dreamed they would be. She melts in my hands as a sigh escapes from deep in her chest.
Releasing her lips, I press my forehead to hers. Our breaths are short and ragged. Her delicate hands wrap around my wrists. As I lean back, Lily’s eyebrows pinch together as she searches my face for any uncertainty.
“Lily, I’ve wanted you to be my girl for as long as I can remember. It has always been you and me, and for me, it will always be you,” I say, hoping she feels the same.
Her lips curl into a smile.Gods, I would do anything to see that smile all day, every day. She gives me a slow nod of reassurance. I kiss her again, cherishing the feeling of her soft mouth.
Before my growing desire overtakes the moment, I pull out of the kiss and stand.
“Are you ready to go swimming?” Taking a step back, I pull my shirt over my head and step out of my trousers. Lily’s eyes roam over me as she bites her bottom lip.
“Enjoying the view?” I say, mustering every bit of confidence I have.
Her eyes freeze and pink colors her cheeks. I walk to her and offer a hand to help her rise from the boulder. She slides her smooth hand into mine. Tingles erupt across my palm as our skin touches.
She pulls her dress over her head, dropping it on the boulder. I stare, transfixed by her beauty. Her delicate frame matches the soft flower her mother named her after.My flower.
