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Oh Lord, the man was still shirtless.
I’d forgotten about that.
Though I don’t know why it surprised me. I’d never seen him with a covered chest. Why would I expect him to put on a tunic for sleep?
He had such a nice chest too. I wondered if none of his people wore tops or if only their warriors went without. In either case, I definitely approved. He had a beautiful form; his pectorals and abs were defined with perfectly sloped muscles.
“A fresh teardrop,” he added, glancing over at me from where he lounged, one arm resting behind his head like a pillow. “I couldn’t just come to you, begging you to weep into a bottle, and then go on my merry way. You need to be present, and they must come straight from your eye as the remedy’s being brewed.”
I cocked my head, frowning with confusion. “Why didn’t you tell me all this from the beginning?”
He sniffed out a disbelieving grunt. “Why do you think? I had no knowledge of this true-love business. I was just a no one, traveling from an enemy land, intent to bring you back to it for weeks, possibly even a moon cycle, and all you knew of me was that I’d fought for your enemy against you. This whole crazy plan is foolish and rash and fraught with danger. You’d have to be insane to agree to come with me.”
I winced. “Well, maybe not insane, but I am prone to making impulsive, not-always-wise decisions. So I would’ve understood your plight perfectly if you had just told me back at the castle.”
His lips quirked at one corner, telling me that I had amused him. But he just as quickly fell serious again. “Then I apologize for snagging you in the night and not simply asking you for your help on my quest from the beginning.”
The way he said snagged gave me pause. It made everything sound so much more—
Oh dear.
“So…” I paused, suddenly realizing. “All this time, you meant to—what—kidnap me?”
He glanced away, his guilt letting me know I was right.
I gurgled out an incredulous laugh. “My God, you did.”
His leery gaze moved over my face. “You think this is funny?”
“No,” I said, sobering immediately. “I don’t, actually.” Licking my dry lips, I tried to comprehend it. “But didn’t you—I mean…” Except I couldn’t fathom it at all. My true love had intended to take me from my home against my will. “So are there, like, chains or something in your pack to keep me bound and held prisoner if I ever thought to resist you?”
“Princess,” he started apologetically, his voice cracking.
“Oh my God, there are!” He looked as if he was going to say something, so I held up a hand to stop him and took a deep breath. “And all this time I thought I was running away with my one true love.”
“I…” Shaking his head miserably, he glanced away. “I’m so sorry.”
He was sorry. The remorse was a hundred percent genuine. It prevented me from getting too upset with him. He’d been trapped in an impossible situation and desperate to save a loved one.
In his shoes, I probably would’ve done the same thing.
I think.
So, I found myself nodding. “It’s fine. Since you’ve come clean and opened up, I can look past your initial intentions. Thank you for giving me the truth.”
“What?” His incredulous features slashed my way. “You’re going to forgive me? Just like that?”
I shrugged. “Yes. I suppose so. Your mission is pure and selfless. And it’s not as if you’ve been even remotely brutish or forceful with me.” Then I grinned sheepishly. “It must’ve been quite a shock to you when I emerged from the castle, fully packed and ready to go wherever you led.”
He blew out an entertaining sound. “Shock was one word for it.” Then he shook his head and repeated his regret. “I don’t know how to apologize enough for—”
I lifted a hand, amused. “You need not apologize at all. I’m exactly where I want to be.”
His lashes opened as he frowned at me, confused.
“With you,” I explained. “I’m still running off with my soul mate. The only change is now I’m going to have to actually work to somehow convince you along the way that I’m what you need as well. We can still end up happily ever after together.”
His mouth fell open. “But—”
