Page 206 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

I’m not sure I could even if I wanted to.

My power has skittered throughout my body, warming my veins, relaxing muscles I try to tense. With each inhale of Rian’s masculine scent, my desire to flee fades.

I lose track of how long we stand like this.

I keep my eyes closed. Rian’s hand remains on my shoulder. His thumb continues its caress. Only now, it’s soothing.

My power flows over his hand and arm, inching its way to where it longs to be. It crawls up his strong jaw and caresses his face.

I sigh.

It’s been less than a fortnight since I left my homeland, since I resolved not to let my guard down around the Shadow Prince.

I viewed him as my enemy. Part of me still does. But there’s no denying that there is something else here. Something instinctual. Something beyond my control.

And I’m so tired of fighting it.

I open my eyes. Breath catches in my throat.

Rian’s eyes are a vivid shade of blue. Like the color of the deepest part of the sea. So dark, I’d almost mistake them for their usual black. But this close, there’s no mistaking their true hue.

I lift an arm.

Rian stiffens but relaxes when I rest my hand against his face.

My pointer finger brushes over his brow and down his temple as I stare at his vibrant gaze.

“Your eyes are blue,” I murmur.

He stills, his gaze sharpening with unmistakable surprise before it disappears behind careful control. “Indeed?”

“Mm-hmm,” I say, stroking his face again.

A shudder ripples down his body.

“Elara…” This time, it’s his eyes that squeeze shut.

I cup the side of his face and whisper, “When will you tell me the truth?”

He leans into my touch. “About what?”

“Everything.”

His eyelids part. The blue hue remains. And for the first time since I met the daunting Shadow Prince, a tendril of vulnerability weaves through his beautiful gaze.

“I fear what I have to say will frighten you.”

"Much of what you say and do frightens me.” I tilt my head to the side and study this unguarded version of him. “And yet I’m here.”

Gods only know why.

His eyes dart between mine. “You will run from me.”

“I can’t,” I whisper. “Remember?”

I glance pointedly at my arms where the marks from our deal slither and dance, overjoyed to be in such proximity to their master.

Darkness falls over his eyes.