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“The conservatory stuff isn’t my thing. You are right,” he told her. “The apothecary business, that’s not my thing either. But you are my mate, so your things are important to me and, therefore, a priority to both of us.”
The conservatory was small. And it was unique, just like he had promised Taryn. He watched her take notes, fascinated by the way this conservatory operated. He, on the other hand, was bored out of his skull, but it had been easy to hide that behind the enthusiasm he saw in Taryn when she viewed the things that occupied her personal wheelhouse. Taryn had a child-like curiosity that wasn’t afraid to explore, make mistakes, and experiment.
Declan was convinced, for the thousandth time, that Taryn was his mate.
She had been made for him, and he for her.
“You like watching me when I’m unguarded like this, don’t you?” she asked. They both knew he did.
Declan did not try to deny it. He loved watching Taryn’s joy widen and grow, and he loved helping it along.
After the conservatory tour, they drove directly into the kingdom beyond the city.
Next stop, the Dragon’s Breath Falls.
EIGHT
TARYN
She had a wonderful time in town. She didn't expect Declan to be so open and to agree to go with her, either. He'd shocked her, and she loved it.
He held her hand as they walked, his fingers interlocked with hers, and he swung them slightly. She felt his warmth surround her as his shoulder brushed against hers. She smiled, wondering if this could be their life every day.
"I had a wonderful time. Thank you for coming with me," she said, looking up at him underneath her long lashes. Her heart skipped a beat as he looked back at her.
He gave her a smile in return, and the brightness of his eyes rivaled that of the moon. "Thank you for letting me go with you. I had a great time. It's been a while since I've been in town and enjoyed myself like that."
She kept going over each place they stopped at and all the things they did. The food they tried and all the dancing they did together. It was like a fairy tale.
She looked at her trinkets and couldn't help but smile more widely. They stepped inside the palace, and she sighed, happy to be home. She was ready to relax.
Her feet hurt from all the walking, and she was tired yet awake at the same time. Declan took her trinkets and forced her to a gentle stop. She scowled at him.
"Hey. What are you doing?"
She was ready to turn and head down the hallway to her room. She could take a bubble bath and relax her muscles under the heat of the water.
Yet, he took a step away from her bedroom and in the direction of his room. Her stomach twisted as anxiety sparked through her.
"You and your trinkets are coming with me to our room," he said. His voice was gentle. But there was no question in it.
It was a clear command.
Our.
Our room.
When had Declan’s room becometheirroom?
It was clear that he had chosen the word deliberately. It held so much meaning.
And Taryn couldn’t deny that it scared her … to think of his room astheirs.
It wasn't that she didn't like Declan. It wasn’t like she wasn’t attracted to him.
Because she was.
But if she crossed that barrier, what did that make them?
