“A home in the woods,” she said. “Like the one your parents have.”
“Excuse me?” I spun her as the music quickened.
“You asked me what I wished.” Her hand quaked in mine. “A quiet place of my own away from court. A place where no one would stare at me.”
“I rather thought you liked being stared at here.” I nearly tripped over her feet as I turned again.
She couldn’t have truly wanted that. “My mother has barely any staff. It is not as luxurious as it may appear.”
“No one tended to me in Aelira and Lioran’s castle. I thought I missed it, but I was mistaken.”
“And what would you do there?”
She looked up into my eyes. “Live a quiet life. Read…”
It sounded like everything I wished I could give her. “You enjoy reading?” I tried to dull the way I looked at her, to peer at everyone around the room, but her. It was an impossible feat.
“I do. It’s been far too long since I’ve lost myself in a book.”
“So a home in the woods, in the human realm? I’m notsure the prince will agree to that. Most husbands would wish for their wives to be close.” As the music grew louder, I couldn’t look away from her.
I was a fool for clinging to hope I shouldn’t have, but I couldn’t stop myself.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
ASHLYN
When Fyn’s hand slid to my waist, I could barely breathe.
I melted with his touch, even when I tried to force distance between us.
But still I couldn’t stop from noticing the way Soren slowly paced near the edge of the dance floor as if he was watching and waiting for the dance to end.
This was my life. I would only have one chance to claim what I wanted. The opportunities before me would never be granted again.
Neither path would grant me everything I dreamed of. Only one allowed me to be true to myself. “He’s watching us.”
“He’s watching you,” Fyn said, twirling me again.
I wanted Fyn to look at me the way he did last night—to keep his hand on my waist—to keep dancing.
It was dangerous how much I craved it. I needed to know how deeply he craved it too. He would have told me if I hadn’t stopped him.
I thought I could spare myself from hearing his words, but now I knew I could never live a life without hearing them. “Meet me later.”
“Your Highness.” Fyn led us the wrong direction again. I wasn’t sure if it was intentional.
“Don’t leave me waiting for you,” I warned.
He nodded once, but it was worth more than anything Soren had said to me since I arrived.
When the music stopped, he bowed before me.
Soren’s clenched jaw seemed even more prominent in the glow of the candlelight. His hand clamped uncomfortably around my wrist. “That was painful to watch.”
I tugged free of his grasp. “I hope it was the entertainment you were looking for.” My words came out with a bite that even I didn’t expect.
“The two of you gave the most surprising show.” Soren looked to Fyn, his brows knitting as he glanced him over.
