Page 40 of A Crown of Hopes and Sorrows

Except for this.

“Why am I wrong?” I said, my voice catching.

He pulled in closer, the sweet grassy smell of the stable filling the air between us like the ghost of touches we both denied each other. “You’re not, at all. But you’re a princess. And I am not appropriate for you.”

Heat flushed my cheeks and filled my chest, and I wanted to scream and stomp my foot and kick something. I was a princess. Of course. My entire life, I had felt trapped by something I had no decision about, something that was decided for me from the moment of my birth. I hadn’t even taken a breath yet, and I had already been labeled as royalty, untouchable, different. And no one understood.

If I complained, most people would see me as ungrateful. What did I have to complain about, after all? I had a loving family, money, and security. But I was also trapped in a box that seemed to grow smaller by the minute, and it was going to suffocate the life out of me, I was sure of it.

I eased in closer, and my fingers grazed over the back of his hand. His muscles tensed, but he didn’t pull away. “Valerian, surely you understand what it’s like to be born to something you have no control over. To be labeled one way and for your destiny to be set without you getting a say in it.”

A muscle in his jaw ticked.

“I want the right to choose my destiny. And if I could pick anything in it, I would choose you.”

“Pip,” he said, his voice trailing off.

My heart pounded so hard against my chest it vibrated, my arms trembling, but I leaned in, brushing my nose against his. He released a shaky breath, and I pulled in closer and let my lips whisper over his.

His fingers swept out, trailing along my arm, and my stomach heated, warmer than the humidity of the day hovering around us. His mouth captured mine, his coarse thumb grazing my cheek. After a long moment, I drew back, letting my nose linger against his.

“Epiphany,” he whispered against my lips, his voice gritty. “You’re killing me.”

I snagged his hand and squeezed it. “Then stop fighting this and be with me.”

“I’m not sure it’s that easy.”

“Of course, it isn’t easy.” I tightened my grip. “But I think it would be worth it.”

Valerian didn’t speak, but he grazed his thumb over my knuckles, the rough edges of his touch sending spirals of warmth through my body.

“Well?” I said.

“I…” The horses shuffled as guards strode up, and I dropped Valerian’s hand.

“Your Highness,” the guard said, inclining his head as he walked past.

I shifted back to Valerian. “I want you to seriously think about what I’ve said. Maybe it wasn’t fair that I put you on the spot before. But we’re on this trip.” I gestured to the island, the dark clouds puffing together far beyond the shore. “You have time to consider it—consider us. So, do that, please. Will you?”

Valerian released a breath that dropped his shoulder. “I will.”

“All right. I’m going to see if I can find Temi.”

I turned, but his voice, a whisper of a sound, paused me. “Pip?”

“Yeah?”

His brows furrowed, and he swallowed hard. “I’m glad you’re okay. I was worried… last night.”

I hesitated for another moment. Love rippled from him like a current. And to know that, for it to sit in the air between us like a golden ray of the sun, present but untouchable, was going to break me. “Thank you, Val.”

He bobbed his head, and I stepped out from behind the horses and over toward a group of guards. Theos jumped to his feet. “Can I help you, Your Highness?”

“Do you know where Temi’s room is?”

He nodded.

“Would you take me to her?”