“Captain,” he says as he steps through it behind me.
Tension is thick between us once we are inside the tunnel, and I can tell he hasn’t finished talking yet.
“Say what you need to say,Captain, then leave me alone.”
“I don’t understand why you’re so against me doing my job.”
“Because it’s not your job. It’s Brynne’s job. You have no responsibility over me. Plus, I don’t need it. Not here. I’m not a princess here.”
“You’re always a princess. Doesn’t matter where you are.”
“Not to anyone here but you.”
He scoffs. “I’m not allowed to keep you safe just because you don’t want to be a princess.”
“No, I don’t want you to treat me differently than everyone else just because I’m a princess. It’s not the same.” I speed up my steps, trying to catch the group, not wanting to be alone with him for the first time in so long.
“So, it’s fine for Jorn to touch you and keep you safe, just not me.”
His words stop me in my tracks. I spin on my heel and stare up at him, his face drawn and unreadable.
“Are youjealous?”
He crosses his arms and glares at me. “No.”
The twinge of the muscle in his cheek tells me I’m right, even if he won’t admit it. He’s jealous I let Jorn touch me and help me, and do things to keep me safe. Is that why Jorn did what he did earlier? Was hetryingto make Weston jealous?
I take a step closer; this time I’m the one closing the gap between us.
“I told you to stop lying to me.”
“I’m not jealous.”
“You could have fooled me.”
We’re almost chest to chest, so close I have to crane my neck up to keep glaring at him.
“I’m not trying to fool you, princess.”
“Then what are you trying to do, Weston? You’re the one who lied and didn’t tell me who you were. You’re the one who said that kissing me was a mistake, and now you’re mad at me for having someone else help me? For making friends with people who want to be around me?”
His jaw clenches harder. “It’s my responsibility?—”
“Oh, fuck your responsibility. What is the point of going through years’ worth of training if I’m just going to have you hovering over me for the rest of my life?”
“You’re my princess.”
“I’m notyouranything. You made that blatantly clear.”
Fire burns in his eyes, but he says nothing.
“Do you want me to act like a princess and command you? Is that what you want? Fine. I command you to leave me alone, and let me take care of myself.”
He leans closer, hovering over me so there’s only a breath between us. Our glares fight to overtake each other.
“No.”
I rear back in shock. “No?”
