A knot catches in my throat as the corner of his mouth lifts in a beautiful smirk. There was a time I tried to swallow my feelings for him, knowing he’d never reciprocate them. But the tightness in my chest when his smile widens makes my heart race.
“I can’t leave you alone for a heartbeat.” He stops in front of me.
“Are you referring to one of your heartbeats or one of mine?”
Callum once told me human heartbeats are as quick as the flutter of hummingbird wings in comparison to a Fae’s. It’s how Fae are immortal when they have enough magic to sustain them.
“You’re trouble no matter how we measure it.” Callum grins, and my breath catches.
Letia smiles, knocking my elbow with hers ever so slightly. She’s well aware of my crush, and I have no doubt she’ll tease me endlessly about how red my cheeks are the next time we’re alone. Thankfully, Callum doesn’t seem to notice.
“I need to help my sister set up for the market.” Letia takes a step back, eyeing her family as they enter the square. “I’ll find you later.”
“If you aren’t too busy with Benjamin.” I smile asshe starts to walk away. “Think about what I said. Rumors are just that until confirmed.”
Letia rolls her eyes, turning her back on me.
“Do I want to know what rumors you’re going on about?” Callum asks.
“Probably not.”
He follows me as I unwrap the first bundle of blades, helping me set them on the wooden table. “Laef isn’t coming today?”
“No. Father’s cough was in his chest this morning.” A bad sign when it usually eases by this point.
Callum’s smile turns grim as he avoids my gaze, and I know he senses what I’m not saying. Father is getting worse, and no amount of food or tonics is working.
“You carried all this yourself?” Callum changes the subject, grabbing another sword from the sled.
“Of course I did. Being a fragile human doesn’t make me completely incapable.”
A laugh bursts out of him. “No one would ever accuse you of being incapable, Elorie.”
My cheeks heat as I look up at him, almost positive that was a compliment.
“Let me help you unload them.” He reaches for the next bundle, and I quickly turn away, hoping he doesn’t notice my blush.
Not that a blush will hide what I’m thinking from a Fae. Between their impeccable hearing and precise sense of smell, they sense every emotion, good or bad.
It’s one of many reasons I’ve never let a guard take me to bed, no matter how breathtaking they are or how wildly they’re praised for their skills. To have someone that aware of how I’m feeling—that in tune with my body when I’m not capable of sensing them that same way—is a vulnerability I can’t handle.
Or can I?
Glancing up at Callum, who is gripping an impossibly large sword and lifting it like it weighs nothing, whittles at my resolve. The muscles in his forearms flex as a dark strand of hair falls over his eyes.
He’s over three centuries old. I don’t doubt that Callum would know exactly how to handle a woman in bed.
“Are you feeling okay?” He smirks, eyeing me from his periphery.
“Fine.” I spin, nearly nicking myself on a dagger as I pick it up from a line of them. I really need to stop daydreaming about him. “Are you planning on helping everyone unload their wares for the market, or is it just me who you’ve decided needs help? I don’t see any of your fellow Guard assisting.”
“Just you, Elorie. Now stop being difficult and accept a little help from a friend.”
Friend.
It takes all my effort to bury my frown.
His gray eyes flit to me, and those willful flutters in my belly meet my throat. There are few rules I wouldn’t break for Callum. Too bad I’m nothing more than an obligation to him.
