grinned. “About time. You two were supposed to arrive this morning. His highness has been pacing the grounds like a caged animal. He’ll probably find you before you even reach the doors.”
The cold, my exhaustion, and everything else were instantly forgotten. Paige had to sprint to keep up with my progress as I threw my reins to the waiting hostler and searched the path ahead. I wasn’t sure if I should be excited or nervous, but at the moment the only thing I knew was that my pulse was louder than whatever Paige was trying to say.
A hand touched my arm and I turned to face my knight.
She pointed to the left.
I looked.
Saw the gardens and the marble statue in the fountain’s center. Saw the wandering nobility in their warm winter cloaks. And then I saw a scruffy gray mutt matted with snow and the person standing beside it, one hand absently rubbing its head—the other getting ready to throw a stick.
My heart stopped. Breathe, Ryiah . Darren looked… I didn’t have words. Has it really only been five months? He was standing there in a dark brocade cloak and black leather boots. I was immediately reminded of the day we met. There was that gold chain hanging from his neck and the fading sun’s rays caught the stone at its base, a hematite oval—the signature gem of the Crown. Ink-black, jaw-length locks framed his face, bangs falling just past his eyes.
I exhaled slowly.
Whatever people said about Blayne, he couldn’t hold a candle to his brother.
Who had just looked up from his dog to catch me staring. Only this time I didn’t have to feel guilty or ashamed. Because he was mine. And I was allowed to stare.
And he was staring right back.
For a second our gazes were locked and neither of us moved.
Then he was running and I was running, and we didn’t stop until my arms were wrapped around his neck and his were locked around my waist, his face pressed in my hair.
“Five months is too long,” he rasped.
My eyes watered, and I told myself I would never let go. “You smell like home.”
I felt him crack a smile. “Would you believe me if I told you the same?”
I nodded and then held still, surrounded by pine and cloves, and for just once everything was right. The two of us in the middle of the courtyard, snow falling softly around us, lost to the rest of the world. I was content to stay that way for the rest of my life.
“Ah, and I see the prestigious lowborn has returned.”
I started to pull away, but Darren held tight and growled at his brother who had managed to make an appearance unnoticed.
“Not now, Blayne.”
“You don’t have to use such a surly tone, Darren, I was merely making an observation.” The crown prince’s gaze fell to me, and he wrinkled his nose. “Might I suggest a nice bath before greeting anyone from court.”
My cheeks burned as the heir to the kingdom sauntered away, a swing in his step.
“Don’t listen to him.” Darren’s tone was resigned. “Blayne is just worried about the Pythians’ arrival. Father has been… difficult.”
I shook my head and stepped out of his embrace. “You don’t need to explain.” Blayne and I shared a mutual dislike. The king’s temperament had no part in that.
I sighed. “Besides, Paige and I have been riding all day. I should probably get cleaned up before anyone else sees us.”
“Then let me take you to your chambers.” The non-heir caught my wrist and pulled me forward.
“What about Paige?” I glanced at my knight. She was trying to pick gray dog hair off her breeches with a sour expression. Wolf, seemingly oblivious to her reaction, continued to bark at her, demanding a playmate.
I stifled a smile.
“While you are on palace grounds, there is no need for a personal guard.” Darren led me to the castle doors. “She will be on rotation with the rest of the King’s Regiment.”
“Oh.” I followed him inside, and then froze as soon as I set foot on the marble. That’s how long it took to recall his words.
The cold, my exhaustion, and everything else were instantly forgotten. Paige had to sprint to keep up with my progress as I threw my reins to the waiting hostler and searched the path ahead. I wasn’t sure if I should be excited or nervous, but at the moment the only thing I knew was that my pulse was louder than whatever Paige was trying to say.
A hand touched my arm and I turned to face my knight.
She pointed to the left.
I looked.
Saw the gardens and the marble statue in the fountain’s center. Saw the wandering nobility in their warm winter cloaks. And then I saw a scruffy gray mutt matted with snow and the person standing beside it, one hand absently rubbing its head—the other getting ready to throw a stick.
My heart stopped. Breathe, Ryiah . Darren looked… I didn’t have words. Has it really only been five months? He was standing there in a dark brocade cloak and black leather boots. I was immediately reminded of the day we met. There was that gold chain hanging from his neck and the fading sun’s rays caught the stone at its base, a hematite oval—the signature gem of the Crown. Ink-black, jaw-length locks framed his face, bangs falling just past his eyes.
I exhaled slowly.
Whatever people said about Blayne, he couldn’t hold a candle to his brother.
Who had just looked up from his dog to catch me staring. Only this time I didn’t have to feel guilty or ashamed. Because he was mine. And I was allowed to stare.
And he was staring right back.
For a second our gazes were locked and neither of us moved.
Then he was running and I was running, and we didn’t stop until my arms were wrapped around his neck and his were locked around my waist, his face pressed in my hair.
“Five months is too long,” he rasped.
My eyes watered, and I told myself I would never let go. “You smell like home.”
I felt him crack a smile. “Would you believe me if I told you the same?”
I nodded and then held still, surrounded by pine and cloves, and for just once everything was right. The two of us in the middle of the courtyard, snow falling softly around us, lost to the rest of the world. I was content to stay that way for the rest of my life.
“Ah, and I see the prestigious lowborn has returned.”
I started to pull away, but Darren held tight and growled at his brother who had managed to make an appearance unnoticed.
“Not now, Blayne.”
“You don’t have to use such a surly tone, Darren, I was merely making an observation.” The crown prince’s gaze fell to me, and he wrinkled his nose. “Might I suggest a nice bath before greeting anyone from court.”
My cheeks burned as the heir to the kingdom sauntered away, a swing in his step.
“Don’t listen to him.” Darren’s tone was resigned. “Blayne is just worried about the Pythians’ arrival. Father has been… difficult.”
I shook my head and stepped out of his embrace. “You don’t need to explain.” Blayne and I shared a mutual dislike. The king’s temperament had no part in that.
I sighed. “Besides, Paige and I have been riding all day. I should probably get cleaned up before anyone else sees us.”
“Then let me take you to your chambers.” The non-heir caught my wrist and pulled me forward.
“What about Paige?” I glanced at my knight. She was trying to pick gray dog hair off her breeches with a sour expression. Wolf, seemingly oblivious to her reaction, continued to bark at her, demanding a playmate.
I stifled a smile.
“While you are on palace grounds, there is no need for a personal guard.” Darren led me to the castle doors. “She will be on rotation with the rest of the King’s Regiment.”
“Oh.” I followed him inside, and then froze as soon as I set foot on the marble. That’s how long it took to recall his words.
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