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“Teo,” I whisper. “This is dangerous. If anyone sees us here… together… alone—”
“No one will see. Everyone’s upstairs enjoying the ball. They are too busy eating and drinking to notice our absence. It’s the perfect opportunity for us to be alone together.”
He planned this to a T.
Whatever it is, for whatever reason he brought me here, Teo made sure to cover all his bases so as to not get caught.
Teo pulls me even closer and runs his knuckles up and down my cheek.
“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he whispers, causing my throat to dry. “There is no girl quite like you, kitten. Claws and all.”
My lips curve into a smile, but I’m too on edge to say anything back.
“Shit.” He laughs nervously. “I’m more nervous than I thought I would be.”
I smack my dry lips, and tentatively raise my arms to wrap around his neck.
“It’s just you and me here, Teo. Nothing to be nervous about,” I reply with a shy smile.
His amber eyes turn soft.
“There isn’t, is there?” He grins, his smile lighting up his face. “Because you’re my girl. And I don’t have to be nervous around my girl.”
My breath hitches at his words.
Teo has never claimed me in that way. I always felt that I was his, but never once did he confirm it. I beam excitedly and nod, before nestling my head into his chest. He plants a kiss on the top of my head, and just holds me for a minute to bask in his essence.
Teo then pulls back a little so I can look at his glorious face.
“We’re fifteen now, love. Which means that in less than three summers’ time, your father will start to search for a worthy prospect to have your hand in marriage.”
I gulp at where Teo is going with this. He looks so determined that I don’t have the heart to cut into his train of thought.
“I have already talked with my father and told him of my intentions. The instant word breaks out that the king is looking to marry you off, my father will offer me to be your wedded husband. Then the entire world will know that you’re mine.”
My heart begins to rattle in its cage, both because Teo just announced his intention to marry me, and because I know he never will.
As I stare into his loving eyes, I let him continue to believe that it’s a possibility.
How I wish it was.
“Well, kitten? Aren’t you going to say something?” he asks, sounding even more anxious.
Unable to break his heart, I end up telling him the only truth I can that won’t do any damage.
“I’d love nothing more than to be your wife, Teo.”
It’s not a lie.
If I could, I’d marry Teo this very night.
But that is a dream for another princess to have. Not me.
He cups my face in his hands, pulling it so close to his that his breath fans my cheeks.
“I love you, Katrina of Bratsk. I will spend my whole life loving you. This, I vow.”
Tears begin to sting my eyes.
