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And he was making her forget it, too—that she had a role here, that she could never belong here, and that there was a happy ending with him. Not wanting to dwell on it, Winter rested her head on his bare chest.
“I could read you earlier. Tiny bits of how you felt, including how much you wanted my blood and how you would have fought yourself to the fullest before you hurt me.”
He paused, absorbing the information. She could sense how thunderstruck he was but not much else.
“And now?”
“It’s gone. I don’t know why. But it was a blessing.”
Nate shook his head. “Darling, you are the blessing.”
Her heart ached for it to mean more than his plans for his home, but she knew there was no chance. So, she inwardly berated that heart that was already feeling things it shouldn’t be feeling and closed her eyes.Temporary, Winter,her head reminded.
Don’t get too attached.
“Your brother wants to kill me.”
Nate stiffened, then nodded in acceptance. She mourned for the pain that clouded his features for a second before she settled in the peace they had here, away from prying eyes and expectations. At least she had this moment and all the other intimate moments with him. At least, when all of this was over, and he did what he needed to do, she could walk away knowing that she didn’t just stand by watching the atrocities of this island without doing anything, like she had the first time.
Winter slept with that comfort despite knowing that the finish line wasn’t on the horizon yet and there was no guarantee that Nate’s side would win.
And she woke up to an urgent shaking on her shoulder and gray eyes already ready for the next battle.
“Wake up. Get dressed. The pirate is here.”
Chapter 10
Getting Isaiah to come to Ostrov Krov earlier than his schedule was already an achievement, one that Nate would thank his parents for when the time came. For now, he stood before the man in a secluded receiving hall—also another thing to thank his parents for—and pretended to greet the trader with the intention of negotiating terms to outbid the others and monopolize the guy’s imports.
There was a swagger to the pirate’s steps as he approached Nate, as if being called upon by the royal house didn’t faze him. The three rings on his nose glinted in the bits of sunlight that penetrated a lone window, but that was all the artifice there was. The simple cotton trousers, matching shirt, and worn-out boots were an anomaly considering the man’s pompous, luxurious reputation, but he didn’t comment on it and offered a greeting with a small bow.
“The prince of Ostrov Krov. Someone needs to pinch me because I think I’m still dreaming.”
Isaiah’s voice was gritty, matching a face that had been scarred once or twice. What was surprising was the playfulness of it and the sparkle in his brown eyes.
“It’s not a dream, and you have been called,” Nate confirmed, ushering for the man to sit on one of the many couches.
Isaiah took the offer, settling on the biggest couch and resting his boots on the table. “I hope you don’t mind. It was a long trip, but I couldn’t miss the invitation.”
“Hmm.”
“If you are going to offer me a deal—which I’m assuming you are—then I have to be honest and let you know that I provide quality goods to quality clients and don’t settle for delays, cancellations, and bullshit. For me to be swayed by your offer, you would have to offer me double or triple what my regular clients are already offering me. Mr. Nathaniel, isn’t it?”
Nate was so mystified with the man’s natural ease that he nodded. “Yes.”
“As the second son and the one who probably deals with most of what the first son fails to do, I’m sure you understand where I’m coming from. I can’t just bail on responsibilities, else it will leave me with a very bad reputation.”
Nate bit his tongue to avoid pointing out that the man already had a bad reputation. “That is understandable. However, I don’t think I can offer double or triple the price, only that I will not be a cause for delays and cancellations regarding trade.”
“Oh. That’s disappointing. Are you sure about that?”
“Positive.”
Isaiah studied him curiously, a hint of wariness coming in. “And will the prince kill me with my refusal?”
“No.”
Nate worked on the silence and waited until the first wave of discomfort came, but the pirate was quick to cover it up. Isaiah stood up, then stopped when Winter entered the scene wearing a white dress and carrying diamonds. He eyed the diamonds, glanced away dismissively, and focused on her.
