Page 86 of Tides of Shadows

“You do not have to be afraid forever,” he said gently, his tone softer than I was used to. “I know you have had your heart broken, I know not everything was right back then… but not every man is the same. If you keep hiding, you may never give yourself a chance to be happy.”

I looked at him silently. I had never heard such words from him before. Never knew he thought so much about my feelings.

Before I could reply, a firm knock sounded, three times. Father set down his cup and stood. He came to me with a crooked smile.

“But if he hurts you,” he said, “remember I still have crab cages on my ship. I’m fairly certain a Cavareth would fit inside.”

I laughed, kissed him on the cheek, and left.

Outside the chambers waited Peter with two guards. He bowed and led the way through the marble halls toward the Regent’s wing. They brought me to one of the smaller dining halls. Candlelight flickered in golden sconces, a table was set for two. Servants stood silently by the wall.

Aidenar stood at the window. When he saw me, he turned and smiled. He wore a gray shirt with gentle, gold embroidery at the cuffs and collar, and dark trousers. Clean-shaven, his pale hair neatly brushed, he looked disarmingly handsome.

He came toward me, bowed and gently kissed my hand.

“Lady Nerissa,” he said courteously, then added lower, with a trace of a smile, “I knew you would look beautiful in it. But I’m starting to regret the purchase.” I looked at him with surprise. “You make it very difficult for me to keep my thoughts in order.”

“That is your problem, my Lord,” I answered, cooler than I meant to, though the corner of my mouth betrayed me.

He took my hand and led me to the table. When a servant stepped forward to help with my chair, Aidenar waved him off and did it himself.

We sat across from each other. Course after course appeared—delicate, artful, excessive, in the way of White City. The food looked like sculpture but tasted of too much thought. Everything here was too polished, artificial almost.

The dinner passed stiffly. That night between us lingered, an unspoken weight neither of us could ignore. The presence of servants only deepened the distance.

Aidenar tried to fill the silence, speaking of hunts and court festivities, teasing lightly now and then. But I couldn’t relax. I felt his gaze, his nearness. And I knew this dinner meant something more.

When dessert was served, he pushed aside his cup and spoke firmly.

“You may all leave.”

The servants bowed and vanished through the doors. Silence settled like mist. Aidenar lifted his glass of wine, then moved his chair closer to me. He sat with that effortless grace that was so entirely his. The top button of his shirt came undone. I kept my eyes on my plate.

“Aidenar…” I began, needing to say something, but he interrupted.

“You do not have to say anything,” he said. “It is I who should apologize. If I made you feel cornered, I never meant to. And know this, you are not another mistress to me.”

His gaze caught mine.

“I mean, my thoughts about you are far from pure, especially when you wear that dress,” he added with a deceitful smile.

I rolled my eyes.

“No more games. No more secrets,” he continued quietly. “When I’m with you… everything feels right. Like I’ve been waiting for you my whole life. Do not tell me you don’t feel it too.”

Before I could answer, he took a folded piece of cloth from his pocket. He unwrapped it, revealing the gleam of a diamond necklace. The Elementar he wore, before I had made him remove them all.

“You know I don’t wear Elementars,” I said.

“I know,” he replied with a faint smile. “This is not meant as one. I simply want you to have something of mine.”

I stared at him, stunned. The piece was worth more than my family’s yearly income.

“May I?” he asked, holding it between his hands.

I hesitated. I knew that if I wore it, there would be no turning back. The entire palace would see. Everyone would know.

“What about Velena?” I asked