That immediately attracted even more attention to us. Mahin turned my way and slowly drifted toward our table.
Fuuuccckkk!
“There is no harm in showing your love to your significant other. I’m sure it doesn’t go against your traditions,” she said.
That was my second opportunity to lie. To come up with a reason why I could not kiss Victor, even if I already ‘claimed him’ as my man. Unfortunately, I was not so quick to come up with words. I was no good at lying, and apparently, talking, or thinking. I just stood there, frozen to my spot.
Mahin tilted her head and a knowing smile formed on her face. She lightly pushed me toward Victor. In my state of shock, Istepped on the hem of my long skirt and stumbled sideways. My elbow hit the wooden table sending Victor’s fork flying to the floor. Pieces of lettuce scattered on the table. My hand landed on Victor’s shoulder. When I lifted my head, our faces were only inches apart. Victor’s fingers wrapped around my rib cage, just below my breast. In slow motion, a strand of my hair brushed against his cheek. His eyes burned into mine and there was so much in his gaze. I got mesmerized by the specks of pale and dark blue in the irises of his eyes. Mahin was still talking, but I heard nothing of what she was saying as my gaze lingered on his lips. His breath caught in his chest and my pulse exploded in my ears in a wild rhythm.
“Frid, your hand...” His words came thick with strain.
I blinked, hardly understanding what he was saying as my body pressed against his so tightly that I could feel his quickened pulse.
“Frid,” he whispered as if it was difficult for him to speak, and his usually pale cheeks looked fevered.
Why did he look so uncomfortable? My hand was on his shoulder, what was so bad about that?
Then I remembered that my other arm hit the table before I caught myself. I glanced down.
Absolute horror washed over me, seizing my breath.
I was touching . . . my hand was on his . . .
Blood rushed to my face. My head spun, and for a long moment, I could not process what just happened. My brain refused to function. I looked up, seeing how his pupils dilated, making his eyes almost black in the dim light. His breath caught.
“This...” he attempted to speak but failed immediately.
His fingers slid down to my hips.
In reaction, my hand, having a mind of its own, cupped against his hardened flesh. It only lasted a moment, but his eyes burned into mine.
I must be delirious. This could not be happening.
“Either finish what you started . . . or remove . . . your hand,” he said with difficulty.
Mahin laughed behind me and that did the trick. I righted myself and turned to sit as the force of thousands of suns burned me from within.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
ALINA
The delicate, feathery light brushed against the silk pillowcase when I opened my eyes. Tynan was already gone and I was not able to hold back a sigh of regret. I knew he rarely slept, that he was up half the night, and it never bothered me before, but lately, all I wanted was to wake up in his arms, warm and safe, protected. I turned to my side, staring at the outlines of the unfamiliar furniture.
There were so many things we still have not talked about. We could feel each other through our bond, but time and trust could do so much more for both of us.
Slowly, I approached the window. Below, was the massive wooden wall that ensured the protection of the settlement, and far beyond, were the vast, wild woods, just like the forest of my childhood. I opened one of the panes, the rush of air was rich with the scents of tree bark and fresh grass.
For a long moment, I could not shake the feeling that I was back in Gora. This new land was calling me, as if it wantedme to unravel its deepest, darkest secrets. My heart raced and I experienced something close to premonition. I needed to do something but I had no idea what it was.
A knock sounded at the door and I wrapped myself in a shawl, before answering. May walked in holding a silver tray in her hands.
“Good morning, milady.”
“Good morning.”
“I hope you slept well.”
“Yes, thank you. Do you know where my husband went?” I asked.
