“Lyra,” he said, pain seeping into his voice. “I have to apologize.”
I blinked. “Apologize? Why?”
“I…” He took a deep breath and stood, running a hand along his jaw. “I thought it was obvious. Our conduct last night was… most indecorous.”
I blushed.
“You’re a taken woman.”
I opened my mouth, then closed it.
“Taken by that… that buffoon of a guard. Excuse my language.”
“Thom.”
“Don’t call me that, not when you return to that smirking idiot for your daily walks throughmygarden,mypalace, and all I’m left to do iswatch…”
“Thom.”
“No,” he said. “Don’t. I had to tell you. Before I left. I had to make things right.”
My heart thudded. “But there’s something you don’t know.”
“What could be worse than what it is now?”
My lips slowly curved upward, my words breathless. “I called off the wedding.”
He paused.
“I ended our relationship this morning. It seems you and I bothcame to similar conclusions.”
“You…” A crease formed between his brows.
I laughed, the sound bubbling from my chest over still water, out into the air. “I’m free.”
I flung my arms out, sinking back onto the cool boulder that poked into my side in the most wonderful way.I was free.A cool wind tickled the sides of my face.
When my joy abated, I pushed up on my elbows to see Thomas watching me, his face spellbound.
I smothered another giggle. Is this what true love felt like? Like a fizzing cauldron was trapped inside your chest, sending sparks and tingles through your limbs?
Thomas adjusted his spectacles. “Why?”
My stomach dropped, the sparks within smoldering. “What do you meanwhy?”
“That was a lengthy relationship to end over a single night’s mistake.”
“Mistake?” I pushed myself up to my feet.
“I just mean—” he stuttered. “People will talk.”
“People will talk?” I marched over to him, fists clenched at my sides. “You didn’t seem to care for people’s talk last night.”
“I amtryingto protect you.”
“I don’tneedprotecting.” I leaned closer to him. My face hovered before his, my nostrils flaring, my cheeks aflame. His eyes were searching, desperate for something, unable to find it.
His breaths sent wisps of hair around my face flying, tickling my cheeks.
