“And you enjoy Fyn’s humor?”
“It’s a refreshing change.”
“One that has enhanced your feelings for him?” He peered around me back at Veylar and Gaia. Both horses grazed freely. He didn’t need to check their whereabouts. I had no doubt that Lioran could sense them even without looking at them.
“You think I have feelings for Fyn?” My lips parted, ready to say I didn’t.
He was asking as if he cared if I did…as if it meant something if I did. I didn’t know if it meant something to him, or if he was just curious. I wanted to ask why it mattered, but I stopped myself.
“Sometimes he leaves me feeling annoyed,” I said.
A hint of the slightest smirk settled on his face.
“He is usually laughing at my expense or making jokes at the worst possible moment. In fact, when you were bleeding out, he only continued his commentary. You probably don’t remember.”
He mostly kept his stoic expression, but his lips tugged upward into a slow grin. “I won’t tell him that you said that…yet.”
“I have no doubt he already knows it.”
“I remember his commentary…I also remember you. You were holding my hand.” His gaze landed on me and I couldn’t look away. “You kept me holding on. When I wasn’t sure if I could any longer.”
My cheeks flushed, burning with a fire I couldn’t calm. “I was so scared…” I would never see him again.
He reached toward me, his fingers stopped inches from mine. “I hope neither of us face that again.”
Something in me shifted—strange and new. Suddenly I was disappointed his hand fell from mine.
It wasn’t possible.
It shouldn’t be.
But when I looked up into his silver eyes, and he looked back into mine, my heart only raced faster.
He pushed up his sleeves, revealing the three band tattoos around his arm.
“What do they represent?” Without thinking, I traced the design.
“My three titles—Guardian of Lythira, Prince of Nythrel, and Heir to the Throne.”
My fingers curled slowly into my palm.
“You’re the future King of Nythrel?”
“Yes.” He lowered his head for a moment before he continued.
I hadn’t even considered he might be.
“What does the future King of Nythrel plan to do with the daughter of his enemy?” His expression hardened as I spoke. “You can tell me.” There were so many things I wanted to say, but none of it mattered until I knew.
“I have offered you safe haven in my lands. The life you choose to make here is yours for as long as you wish to stay. I will protect you however I can.”
His words were a whisper on the wind.
My heart thundered in my chest, but for a moment, I reveled in the peace his words brought. We both knew the truth that remained unspoken. My time here in Lythira, with him, would be fleeting.
Chapter 14
Summoning my magic was impossible the next morning. Lioran’s gaze lingered on me, long after we parted. My heart thundered—my chest tightened with it.
