“You heard what I said. Make this happen,” he growled.
The sun was stifling. There was no relief from the wind. I wandered to the willow, wanting a moment to myself— needing a distraction from my conversation with Agan. The grass crunched beneath my slippers.
Thalen stood before me—a falcon rested on his gloved hand. His gaze was calculating.
“Hup.” He loosened his grip on the falcon’s jesses, and it soared off into a nearby tree. His eyes never left the bird, his stoic expression intact. Leaves rustled as he slid the grotesque remnants of a rodent onto his glove—the fleshy pink meat poked through the gaps in the leather.
A shrill cry of the bird repeated as it flew directly overhead and perched again on his glove. He revealed the pink, lifeless creature to it, causing my stomach to churn.
“Would you like to see her?” His gaze never lifted from the bird. Thalen sensed me as well as the falcon sensed its prey. He slid the thin leather straps beneath his gloved thumb. The falcon ripped apart the fleshy meat.
“You command her well,” I said.
The falcon’s eyes followed mine.
He held his arm still while she perched on it. “These creatures possess an untamed spirit that I find enthralling.” Thalen’s eyes slowly shifted to mine. “She requires constant handling to remember her purpose.”
Many men felt the same about me.
Thalen and the falcon were completely in tune with each other.
“She’s fascinating,” I said.
“I thought you might enjoy her.”
The falcon finished devouring its reward. Thalen commanded a nearby falconer, then transferred the falcon to the falconer’s glove.
“Walk with me.” He undid his glove, thrusting it into the other man’s open hand. Thalen extended his arm to me, just as he had the falcon.
“I’m surprised to see you out here.”
“I needed fresh air.” My hand rested on his arm, his muscles tense with my touch.
“I don’t think you should wander alone,” he murmured. My stomach twisted at his words, completely aware that Milana wasn’t with me.
“The guards are my constant shadows.”
“It would be safer if you walked beside one.” He tucked his braid behind his shoulder. “At least I am with you now.”
I didn’t know what he could be worried about. No one let me go anywhere alone.
He brought his arm in closer, pulling me toward him. The scent of leather lingered on his skin. My cheeks burned.
“I hope I’m not making you uncomfortable,” he said.
“Not at all, my lord,” I lied—Agan’s words echoed in my mind and my body stiffened.
“I can’t stop thinking about you.” His words trailed over me, lingering longer than I wished. Heat rose from within me as he gestured to a bench in my mother’s garden.
“My lord…” A slow tingle ran down my spine as his gaze locked onto mine. I grew aware of every line that settled around his eyes; the way his white, blond hair framed his face.
“You may soon be my wife. Please address me without my title.” He lifted my hand to his lips. The kiss lingered even after he removed his lips. His warmth radiated through me.
“Thalen…” His name felt forbidden. “Why did you choose me?”
“I came here to form a political alliance.” His fingers dragged down his jaw.
My heart dropped deep in my chest—my gaze diverted from his.
