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Clearing my throat and steeling my spine, I mask the jitters of what awaits tonight as I give the doorknob a sharp twist before stalking my way towards where Aiden awaits.
“How is the food?”
My eyes snap to Aiden, who is sitting beside me with a twinkle in his green eyes. The sun is warm against my icy skin, causing me to squint when I look at him. The water laps up at the shore only feet away from where he placed a blanket and basket to make a little picnic charade for breakfast.
I slowly chew the piece of jelly biscuit in my mouth, now wondering if he poisoned it with the way he’s watching me eat. Grabbing my glass of water, I use it to roughly swallow it down.
“Good.” I’m not sure how he’s expecting me to respond. So, a clipped answer is all I give him.
He nods, before taking a sip of his drink. “I only ask because I helped make it.”
I almost choke on the water sliding down my throat. “You cook?”
All he does is shrug. “No, but when I’m bored, I tend to go to the kitchen to help dabble in whatever meal they are scrounging together.”
Nothing comes out of my mouth. So, I just stare.
“You seem shocked,” he says with amusement.
“I suppose I am.” My hand waves in front of him. “I just never pictured you enjoying helping in the kitchen. Especially when you are picky about food.” Flashes of us sitting at the table as kids spring forward, him barely eating as he uses his fingers to slide his food around his plate and slumps in his chair.
A hearty laugh bellows from him that makes me raise my eyebrows. “This is why we are such a good match.” He leans his elbows on his knees, keeping his head turned to look at me more closely. “You know more about me than anyone else.”
I simply let my deadly eyes stay frozen on him as I keep quiet. Bringing another bite of food to my mouth instead.
But he continues on. “I’m glad you are feeling better and got the rest you needed. I came to check on you again before I retired to my room.”
My lungs seize as I watch him carefully, noting the way his jaw clenches. Something flashes behind his eyes before it's gone. A gentle smile on his face as he nudges his boot against mine in the sand.
“I didn’t hear anything. So, I assumed you were still sleeping, and I didn’t want to disturb you.”
I keep my features cool as I nod. “Well, I appreciate that. I don’t know what came over me, but my body needed the rest.”
“I get like that sometimes after a long day of sailing. Sometimes a full day of sleep is still not enough.” He chuckles softly, before leaning towards me. “Next time, use my bed to rest so I can take care of you and keep you safe and warm.”
I pull away from him, rearing my head back as I go to speak but he beats me to it. “Nothing more than sleep. Cross my heart.” He leans back away from me, righting himself as he does the crisscross motion with his hands over his chest.
“I’ll think about it,” I gingerly say, not quite sure how to respond as my mind is still reeling from him coming to check on me last night. Did he hear anything before Draven tossed up his shadows? Does he know I wasn’t alone? Or does he truly believe I was sleeping?
His head tilts to the side, studying me, and every part of me wishes I had the ability to read minds at this moment.
“You still resist me,” his voice is soft-spoken as he watches me wash my food down. “Why won’t you just let yourself be happy and fully give us another chance? I promise things will be different.” His hand lifts to my hair, picking up the ends and twirling them between his fingers. “I can give you everything and more than any other male.”
Such pretty words, yet I can’t help but wonder if it's to hide the venom that coats them.
I set my glass down hard beside me, water splashing over the lip. I brush the sand off my pants to stand, pinning him with my glare. “I suggest you stop telling me to give you, us, a chance when I’m still choking on the blood from the last time you stabbed my heart.”
Before I turn to walk away, Aiden’s jaw tenses and he drops his gaze to his half-eaten plate. Internally, I shake my head at the sight as my feet move me closer to the palace.
But I pause.
“I wish to be left alone for a while,” I say, keeping my back to him. I continue to steadily put more distance between us as I return to my room, preparing for our plans to go against Whiro.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Draven
“Anything?” I ask Emil as he solemnly shakes his head.
