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That stings more than I’d ever want to admit so I give him a soft smile, which I hope is all the encouragement he needs to keep talking, because I can’t force words past the sudden, unexpected lump in my throat.
See? It is the prophecy manipulating their emotions. They don’t care for you. They love her. They could never love you, not when they have a queen to serve and love and protect.
As he speaks, my mind drifts off to the memories of my own home, and the people who ruled over it. My mother was a fierce and powerful woman who commanded respect from all who knew her. Sure, she may have commanded their respect, but they didn’t truly know her like I did. They didn’t get to see the darkness within her, they were never on the receiving end of her wrath. Or her fists. I can’t help but wonder if Cove’s queen was anything like her, but then I can’t imagine the guys serving a ruler like that, so their queen must be very different.
My thoughts are interrupted as Cove reaches out and takes my hand, causing my heart to skip a beat. His touch is warm, and the rough callouses on his fingers brush against my skin.
“Malia, are you okay?” he asks, his eyes searching mine.
I nod, trying to hide the sudden rush of emotions that threaten to overwhelm me.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I say, pulling my hand away.
Yesterday was so much to take in, and I definitely haven’t even begun to process it all, because I spent the night losing myself in Cove. The perfect distraction.
Cove looks disappointed but doesn’t say anything. Instead, he stands up and stretches.
“I should get us some breakfast,” he says eventually. “Do you want to shower?”
I nod, grateful for the excuse to end the conversation and climb out of bed.
I can still taste the saltiness of his skin from last night. It was like nothing I had ever tasted before – a heady mix of sweat and desire. My mind drifts to the way his hands had roamed all over my body, the way his lips had traced every inch of my skin. I wonder if he’s still thinking about it too.
Suddenly, Cove’s voice breaks through my thoughts. “Earth to Malia, are you going for that shower?” he asks, concern etched on his face.
I blink a few times, trying to focus on his words. “What? Yeah, sorry. I was just...thinking,” I say, getting all hot and flustered.
He looks at me intently before leaning in closer. “About last night?” he whispers, his breath tickling my ear.
My heart starts racing as his hand lands on my thigh, inching its way higher.
“Cove, we can’t,” I say, trying to muster up some self-control.
“Why not?”
“Because I really do need a shower and I’m starving,” I say with a laugh. He takes a step back and grins at me.
“Okay, rain check? But only because I want to feed you so you have stamina for what I have in mind later.”
He laughs as my cheeks heat and ruffles my hair. “Go. Shower. I’ll see you downstairs, okay?”
I nod and slip out of his room and into the thankfully empty bathroom. Turning on the water, I strip out of Cove’s shirt and brush my teeth.
Stepping under the hot spray, I think about last night. I don’t think Bhodi came home, unless it was when Cove and I were busy. Distracted. I didn’t sleep well in between those distractions so I’m sure I would have heard him if he did return. I hope he’s okay. I’ve never seen him like that before.
As I lather my hair, my mind wanders back to Cove’s touch. I can still feel the heat of his body against mine, his lips on my skin. My fingers trail down my own body, recalling every sensation. I realise that I’m not the only one who couldn’t resist the temptation last night, as I feel my own arousal building.
I quickly finish my shower, turning off the water and drying off before getting dressed.
As I make my way downstairs, the smell of breakfast fills my nose. It seems like someone has cooked up a storm, and I can’t help but feel grateful for the thoughtfulness. Rounding the corner, I find Reef and Cove working together in the kitchen, Bhodi and the professor nowhere to be seen.
We sit down to eat, chatting about anything and everything. It’s easy to talk to them both, natural, so long as we don’t address the elephant in the room. I feel like I can tell them both anything, even though there’s still so much we don’t know about each other.
Once we finish eating, Cove takes my hand and leads me outside. I’m not sure what he has planned, but I’m happy to just get some fresh air and clear my head.
It’s a beautiful morning, and the sun is already bright and warm. The sand is soft, golden, and is already warming under our feet.
Cove steers me away from the beach though, around the house to the forest that borders the back of the property. The trees tower above us, and there’s a slight breeze that bends the top leaves over us gently.
