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Nothing horrible could happen if we slept together, right? We could get rid of our pent-up sexual frustration, relieve the tension brimming between us. It couldn’t make things worse.
Just as I’d talked myself into jumping his bones, Kieran dropped my hand and took several steps back.
Talk about mixed signals. But his drastic change in demeanor had my loins girded once more.
“You’re right.” He cleared his throat and adjusted his collar. “This won’t end well for us, so we should be careful and not strengthen our connection.”
“Right.” My voice cracked.
He rubbed his hands together, not looking like the confident man I’d known. He exhaled and said, “Since you’re at a disadvantage with flying and haven’t been able to master your magic, maybe I could offer you some training before the second trial.”
I glanced around, checking whether someone was watching us. Did they even have video recorders in Talamh? If they did, was I getting the fae equivalent of being punked right now?
Kieran tensed and spun to search the stairs. “What’s wrong? The fae should be down there talking a little while longer. Everyone was tipsy and having a good time, so they won’t be rushing here anytime soon.”
That explained why no one had come to their rooms yet. I’d been all too eager to retire. Maybe I wouldn’t have been so ready if I’d known Kieran would be waiting for me. I’d almost done something so stupid I would never have recovered. “I thought someone might be watching our exchange since you can clearly hide in the shadows.”
They called him the Winter King, but he had cloaking abilities to shroud himself in darkness … similar to the mist that had attacked us in the trial.
“My brother and I are the only Winter fae who can control shadows.” He rolled his shoulders. “And Nolan isn’t as good at it as me. But why do you think someone is watching us?”
“Why else would you offer to train me if not to humiliate me in front of someone?” We were enemies, and when I’d been in Alina’s memory, she’d been concerned about her reputation and keeping her family name untarnished, except for her desire to be with Kieran.
“What in the warm winter are you talking about?” His jaw clenched. “I would never do something like that to you.”
“Then why would you want to help me?” I stood tall, watching his expression, and finished, “You’re supposed to kill me.” My eyes widened. That was why. I could die under the ruse of a training accident.
“You have severe trust issues.” He ran a hand down his face. “Even for a fae. I thought humans were trusting.”
I rolled my eyes. “You clearly don’t know many humans. And between the few memories I have of who I used to be and how I grew up in this life, let’s say I don’t have many reasons to trust anyone, especially not the man who rejected me in the name of his people.”
He flinched. “Yet you won’t let me explain.”
“It’s irrelevant.” Even if he gave me a good excuse, I wouldn’t know if it was true or not. Not without all my memories.
“Fine.” He pressed his lips together. “But I do want to help you. I care about your survival, and you were sent here to die. Let’s at least give the other competitors a bit of a surprise.” He winked.
Dammit, now he was breaking down my defenses. And if he killed me while training, maybe it wouldn’t be so gruesome as the trial. I was so unprepared, even with Maeve’s guidance. Letting him help me wouldn’t be the end of the world. “But I wouldn’t owe you a favor if we did this, right?” The last thing I needed was to be tricked into something else.
He smiled, pride shining in his eyes.
I wanted to puff out my chest, and I hated that his approval made me happy.
“Let’s say this, mo fhlùr, that multiple people have already formed alliances. I suggest, for the second trial, we work together.” He took a step toward me. “No one will expect that.”
Working with him sounded so damn appealing. Against my better judgment, my legs carried me closer to him. “How do I know you won’t betray me?”
“I give you my word.” He placed a hand over his heart. “Princess Alina, I offer to ally with you until the end of the second trial. If you accept my offer, then training together would be in our best interest. A fae cannot break their promise.” He extended his hand.
Rowan had said the same thing when she’d begrudgingly come to my room. She owed me because of a promise she’d made to Ginevra. In fact, she’d avoided me tonight.
I nodded, placing my hand in his large one.
The electric jolt shot into my soul.
The two of us stepped toward one another, drawn like magnets. Our chests brushed, and I was completely at the mercy of whatever this was between us.
A loud giggle sounded from the stairwell, and Kieran scowled.
