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I nodded. “Surely you must do something aside from ruling the country. Something for yourself?”
Cyrus leaned back in his chair and I caught sight of how his dark shirt stretched over his chest. For a man in his early forties, he still looked ridiculously fit. I wondered how often he trained with Ladon.
I blinked a few times, erasing all thoughts of Ladon.
“I rarely find time to sleep these days, let alone take up hobbies. But I guess if I did have spare time, I’d spend it in the kitchens.”
“Eating?” I joked, stifling a laugh.
Cyrus grinned, and it was a delightful sight to behold. His eyes practically sparkled with life and joy and passion—all the things I wish I’d had more of in my own life. “Cooking, Lady Emilie.”
He stood and moved around the table, closer to me. “Maybe one day I’ll cook a meal for you.”
“That sounds lovely.”
He reached his hand out and I took hold of it, letting him pull me up from my seat. His hands were rough and warm. “Thank you for joining me this evening.”
“The pleasure was all mine.”
“Can I walk you back to your room?”
I cleared my throat. This wasn’t how the night was supposed to end. I needed to do something—say something. “Or…we could stay here a while longer?” My eyes flitted to the door to his bedroom, and I hoped he got the hint.
Instead, his smile straightened. Not into a frown, but something short of disappointment. Had I been too forward? Should I have played it more coy? I was a fool for thinking I could ever seduce a man, let alone a king. Gods, my mother would kill me if I somehow ruined this arrangement already.
Suddenly my lips felt too dry, my palms felt too clammy.
“As much as I’d love for you to keep me company tonight, I think it’s best if you return to your own room,” he said.
I searched his green eyes for some sense of what he was thinking. Was he upset that I’d asked? Was he not attracted to me? I felt the urge to sprint from the room and hide my embarrassment in the comfort of my own bed.
But Cyrus leaned in and planted a soft kiss on my cheek and even after he pulled away, I could feel the flames on my skin where his lips had been. “I’m very glad you’re here, Emilie.”
My heart fluttered, and I could see the sincerity in his eyes. He hadn’t turned me down out of disinterest. He was just a gentleman.
He walked to the door, and after a moment of hesitation, I followed in his footsteps. He pulled the door open for me, propping it against his hip and giving me space to squeeze past. My shoulder brushed against his chest as I stepped over the threshold.
“I’m happy to be here, too, Cyrus.”
And I actually meant it.
Chapter Six
Ladon
Running on sand was infinitely harder than running on any other terrain. It was why I did it every day. To be better than everyone else, I had to train like I was better than everyone else.
I was the High Commander of Osavian’s army. But I was also the king’s brother. And if I wanted half the respect of other ranking members, I had to work twice as hard. I didn’t want them to think I’d gotten here on my name alone. I had to prove I deserved to be at the top.
I’d woken up late. I’d tossed and turned all night and by the time I’d finally gotten some decent sleep in, the sun had already begun to peek through my drapes.
Now I was paying for it because the sun was high in the sky and its rays were scorching hot on my bare back. My shorts stuck to the back of my thighs and each stride took more effort than the last. Each muscle from my calves to my shoulders was tense from the strenuous movement. I felt like my lungs were on fire.
I came to a slow jog as I approached a group of rocks jutting out of the pristine white sand, detached from the nearby cliffs. Treye’s Grove, they called it. Three rocks standing taller than any giant—one each for the god of sun, moon and stars. Some thought it was a sacred spot but, for me, it was just a good point to turn around mid-run.
As I reached the gray and white rocks, I stretched out a hand and placed it on the cool side that hadn’t yet been touched by the sun. I took a minute to catch my breath, stretching my legs and wiping the sweaty hair back from my face.
Treye’s Grove was deserted except for a handful of birds striking the sand with their beaks and searching for a snack. It usually was peaceful when I ran in the mornings, but since I’d woken up late, I worried I might have to deal with the zealots and their daily worship.
