I worry that I’m lying to myself.
What feels like hours pass as I lie awake, tossing and turning, unable to get comfortable because of the constant reel of thoughts flying through my mind.
I sit up with a groan, shoving the lush pillows behind me and propping myself against the headboard.
This is ridiculous. I shouldn’t be lying awake like this. There is absolutely no reason I should be worried about Weston on his shift. He’s the captain. He will return when he returns.
Staring out over the room, I’m contemplating getting dressed again and going to see if anyone is still awake when I hear a small thump beside me. I turn toward my normally empty bedside table to find a book and a small candle.
Reaching over, I pick it up and run my fingers over the worn leather cover.
The Maiden’s Moonlight Venture.
I’ve read this book before. It’s one of my favorites from Tila’s shelf, about a woman who gets caught up in a quest, and meets a handsome prince along the way. I smile up at the ceiling and thank the island for giving me this small form of comfort.
A flame flickers, lighting the candle and casting my space in a soft glow. I open the cover and immediately relax as my fingers brush the thick pages. It feels like ages since I’ve read. The last time I opened a book was with Dane in the library, and it isn’t until this moment that I realize how much I miss it.
I turn to the beginning and gobble up the text, turning page after page as my mind plummets into the familiarity of the story. Sinking down into the pillows, I ignore the world around me: the empty room, the emotions, the conversations, and immerse myself into one of my beloved stories.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“What are you reading?”
The book nearly falls from my hands when I hear the voice, and look up to find Weston standing at the desk, dropping his blades into the drawer. I hadn’t latched the door in case I needed to leave, so there was no turn of the handle that would warn me when he came in.
Even so, I’d been too engrossed in the love scene after the maiden and the prince finally admit their feelings for each other to even notice him walk into the room.
“Nothing,” I say, my cheeks warming as I close the book without marking my place, and set it on my lap.
“Doesn’t look like nothing.”
“It’s just a book,” I say, a little too quickly. My body is too warm under all this bedding, and I’m trying to focus on what he’s saying and the fact that he’s back, not the pounding of my heart in my ears and between my thighs.
He cocks his head to the side, and a smile plays at his lips. “Is there a reason you don’t want to tell me what is in your book, princess?”
“It’s not my book. It just appeared. When I couldn’t sleep. Right there,” I say, my statements stuttered, as I try to hide howflustered I am. I set the book on the bedside table, like having it out of my hands will stop this conversation.
He looks down at the drawer, his smirk deepening, and I feel the burn of embarrassment flare in my skin.
“If you want to avoid the question, you can just say so. I think that gives me a pretty good idea, anyway.”
I cross my arms over my chest, wishing I could slink down and hide. Why does Weston seem to always catch me in compromising situations, like he’s drawn to me as soon as he can make me feel uncomfortable?
Maybe it’s just him that makes me feel uncomfortable. I’ve never felt like this before, back when I was reading the same book alone in my castle rooms.
Silence stretches between us, broken only by him closing the drawer and locking it with his key.
“Were you waiting up for me, princess?” I can hear the smile in his voice, the same challenge as before when he told me not to.
I scoff. “Absolutely not.”
Was I though? Was something deep down not letting me fall asleep because this pattern we’ve created was broken? Is that why he doesn’t sleep too?
“Sounds like you were worried.”
I can’t tell from here with the shadows and darkness hiding his face, but there might be a playful glint in his eye, like he’s teasing me. If getting him off the ship put him into a good mood, one that isn’t snapping at me every second, then he needs to get off the ship as much as possible. But a princess isn’t teased, no matter how much of a good mood he’s in, so I need to stop this immediately.
An abrupt laugh bursts from my throat. “Worried? The only thing I’d be worried about is being trapped in this room forever if Dane finally got hold of you.”
