chuckled. “Everyone knows.”
Of course. We were probably the hot gossip topic around Avalon. Fire elementals continued to attack our court in the mortal world, which should have put us on opposite sides. In the eyes of the elementals, we were the definition of a doomed relationship. “If you knew about us, why did you agree to come here and marry me?”
Bash stared at me as if he were surprised I asked. “Because I knew the daughter of the air court king would put her court before her heart.”
And that’s when the truth slapped me right across the face. Bash understood what was expected and just assumed I would feel the same way. But the decision wasn’t as easy for me as it seemed to be for him. I wasn’t ready to give up what I wanted for the sake of my court. I wanted to find a way to have it all. “You make it all sound so simple.”
“I’m sure it’s not and I want you to know I am in no rush.” Bash took my hand, entwining our fingers. “But I am hoping you have room in your heart for me. In time, I hope you will at least give us a chance.”
Bash continued to impress me with his kindness. “I’m sorry to put you through this. You’re obviously an awesome guy. You deserve better.”
“There is no one better than you, Kalin.” He tugged on my hand, closing the distance between us. “I am very happy in my current position.”
This close, he smelled like some kind of sweet nectar. I couldn’t help taking it in, letting go in the moment. He placed my hand on his chest. Heat radiated up my arm. Watching me, his eyes settled on my lips. The intensity of his stare made my mouth dry. I swallowed hard. Part of me was screaming. I had to say something, anything. “I want to try.”
I jolted at my own response.
He stepped back, sporting a confident grin. “I am so pleased to hear you say that.”
I had no idea what had just happened, but I felt horrible like I had done something terribly wrong. If I meant what I said, I was hurting Rowan. The guy who had saved my life more than once. If I didn’t mean it, I was lying to Bash. The guy who was opening his heart to me, willing to wait for a chance to win mine.
Bash reached for a small leather sack attached to his side. “You look like you could use a drink.” He removed the lid, handing the pouch to me. “It’s wine. I made it myself.”
In addition to perfection, he also makes his own alcohol. Seriously, where did this guy come from? No one could be this amazing at everything. I took a sip. It tasted the way he smelled: sweet, like honey. “This is delicious. I can’t believe you made this.”
Bash seemed satisfied by my response. “You can have the rest of it. I brought a barrel with me for your father.”
I finished the bottle. The liquid warmed my tongue and throat. “Thank you so much.”
He was quiet for a long minute, as if contemplating his next words. “Can I ask you something?”
The wine hit me all at once. My shoulders relaxed as I let out a long exhale. “Sure. Ask away.”
He leaned in and whispered, “Is it true you’re the next akasha?”
My eyes widened with shock. I rose to my feet. “How do you know about that?”
Bash hesitantly stood. “My mother has known for a while.”
Had my father told her? I thought it was kept secret because my life was in danger. “Who else knows?” I asked, sounding much more defensive than I intended.
“As far as I know, she is the only member of the council who knows.” He waved his hands as if he were raising a white flag for surrender. “Your secret is safe with me, Kalin. I would never intentionally put you in danger.”
“Is that why you’re being so nice to me? Because you think I’m this all-powerful elemental? Well, news flash: I’m not. You can quit the perfect guy act right now.” I turned away from him, crossing my arms in front of me.
“I’m sorry I have upset you. I promise, it wasn’t my intention.” He let out a long sigh. “Mother told me only a
Of course. We were probably the hot gossip topic around Avalon. Fire elementals continued to attack our court in the mortal world, which should have put us on opposite sides. In the eyes of the elementals, we were the definition of a doomed relationship. “If you knew about us, why did you agree to come here and marry me?”
Bash stared at me as if he were surprised I asked. “Because I knew the daughter of the air court king would put her court before her heart.”
And that’s when the truth slapped me right across the face. Bash understood what was expected and just assumed I would feel the same way. But the decision wasn’t as easy for me as it seemed to be for him. I wasn’t ready to give up what I wanted for the sake of my court. I wanted to find a way to have it all. “You make it all sound so simple.”
“I’m sure it’s not and I want you to know I am in no rush.” Bash took my hand, entwining our fingers. “But I am hoping you have room in your heart for me. In time, I hope you will at least give us a chance.”
Bash continued to impress me with his kindness. “I’m sorry to put you through this. You’re obviously an awesome guy. You deserve better.”
“There is no one better than you, Kalin.” He tugged on my hand, closing the distance between us. “I am very happy in my current position.”
This close, he smelled like some kind of sweet nectar. I couldn’t help taking it in, letting go in the moment. He placed my hand on his chest. Heat radiated up my arm. Watching me, his eyes settled on my lips. The intensity of his stare made my mouth dry. I swallowed hard. Part of me was screaming. I had to say something, anything. “I want to try.”
I jolted at my own response.
He stepped back, sporting a confident grin. “I am so pleased to hear you say that.”
I had no idea what had just happened, but I felt horrible like I had done something terribly wrong. If I meant what I said, I was hurting Rowan. The guy who had saved my life more than once. If I didn’t mean it, I was lying to Bash. The guy who was opening his heart to me, willing to wait for a chance to win mine.
Bash reached for a small leather sack attached to his side. “You look like you could use a drink.” He removed the lid, handing the pouch to me. “It’s wine. I made it myself.”
In addition to perfection, he also makes his own alcohol. Seriously, where did this guy come from? No one could be this amazing at everything. I took a sip. It tasted the way he smelled: sweet, like honey. “This is delicious. I can’t believe you made this.”
Bash seemed satisfied by my response. “You can have the rest of it. I brought a barrel with me for your father.”
I finished the bottle. The liquid warmed my tongue and throat. “Thank you so much.”
He was quiet for a long minute, as if contemplating his next words. “Can I ask you something?”
The wine hit me all at once. My shoulders relaxed as I let out a long exhale. “Sure. Ask away.”
He leaned in and whispered, “Is it true you’re the next akasha?”
My eyes widened with shock. I rose to my feet. “How do you know about that?”
Bash hesitantly stood. “My mother has known for a while.”
Had my father told her? I thought it was kept secret because my life was in danger. “Who else knows?” I asked, sounding much more defensive than I intended.
“As far as I know, she is the only member of the council who knows.” He waved his hands as if he were raising a white flag for surrender. “Your secret is safe with me, Kalin. I would never intentionally put you in danger.”
“Is that why you’re being so nice to me? Because you think I’m this all-powerful elemental? Well, news flash: I’m not. You can quit the perfect guy act right now.” I turned away from him, crossing my arms in front of me.
“I’m sorry I have upset you. I promise, it wasn’t my intention.” He let out a long sigh. “Mother told me only a
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