Chapter 22 #2
A joke, but the thought of Tarben feeding me chocolates had my toes curling. As did the idea of having more nights like this. Stop it. Focus.
I didn’t know what had come over me, but I had to regain control of myself. Tarben needed to confess his love for me, and it was time I gave him a shove.
“Will you give me a truth?” I asked, abruptly changing the subject.
If he was taken aback, he didn’t show it. “Of course.”
Pretending to think, I bit my lip in the way I knew drove males wild. As expected, Tarben’s gaze fell to my mouth. “Have you ever been in love before?”
He blinked at me. “No, have you?”
I traced my finger around the rim of my goblet. “No.” I paused for a moment. “Why not?”
“I like to think it’s because I hadn’t met the right woman. What about yourself?”
“The same. I’ve never met anyone worth giving my heart to.” I looked at him through lowered lashes. “At least not until recently.”
“I feel the same way, in fact…” He touched my hand. “Divine goddess, you’re freezing.”
This was the second time that had happened today. Truthfully, I’d been shivering in the thin material of my dress, but now was too important of a moment to worry about something as trivial as my body temperature. I waved off his words. “I’m fine. You were saying?”
“It’s not fine—your hands are like icicles. Let’s get you inside,” he said, standing and offering me his hand.
Swallowing my frustrated sigh, I slipped my fingers into his and allowed him to steer me inside the sitting room. It was gloriously warm. And, more importantly, free of servants.
The cozy space was dimly lit; the only light came from the flickering flames of the hearth and a few candles arranged across the mantle. Perfect for seduction.
Tarben reached for a woolen blanket in a basket next to the hearth. “There,” he said, draping it around my shoulders.
“There are other ways you could keep me warm, you know.” The husky quality to my voice was no accident.
“Oh really?” he asked, his mouth twisting into a sly smile. “What do you propose?”
The rapid thud of his heart rivaled my own. “You could come closer, for a start.”
He took a step towards me, closing the space between us. He gazed down at me. I had never noticed the traces of amber in his eyes before—like honeyed sunbeams reflected on a blue-green lagoon. “Like this?”
I allowed my eyes to lock onto his. Allowed him to cup the side of my face in the palm of his warm hand. Allowed his gaze to study mine, then rest on my lips.
A single, subtle shift, and yet, with it, all logic and reason abandoned me. “I want you to kiss me,” I uttered, barely audible.
He maintained eye contact, edging closer and pausing just shy of my lips. “Close your eyes,” he commanded in a whisper.
Barely breathing, my eyes shuttered closed. At last, his lips found their mark, tracing the softest of kisses against my own.
The noise that escaped me was somewhere between a sigh and a moan, and his body responded without hesitation.
His featherlight kiss immediately gave way to something more desperate. With both hands cupping my face, he kissed me like it was akin to breathing. Like my lips were revitalizing, and he was fighting for his life.
His passion only fueled my own. Discarding the blanket, I wrapped my arms around his firm body, feeling his lean muscles through his clothing.
He broke away and panted, “I meant what I said the other night. I want things to be different with you.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” I replied, breathless.
He looked tempted to continue his exploration of my mouth but, instead, he said, “Maybe we should go back to talking.”
The strain in his voice told me all I needed to know. I bit back my smirk. “We’re just kissing.”
“Right. Just kissing.” His eyes were ablaze as they bore into mine.
“I don’t want you to stop kissing me. Not yet.”
“Alright. Not yet.” He sank into a plush velvet settee and pulled me onto his lap.
My arms wrapped around the back of his neck while he claimed my throat with his mouth, the warmth of his tongue and the heat of his breath branding my flesh.
As he left his mark on me, my fingers explored his hair.
I shifted my body so that my chest was pressed against his, and my legs were wrapped around his torso, eliciting a low moan from him that hummed against my pulse.
I was suddenly very aware of the length of him grazing my ass.
It ignited a wave of carnal need that spread throughout my entire body, and by the time his lips found mine again, the place between my thighs was aching with want.
“We should stop,” he said, voice thick with lust.
“We should,” I agreed breathlessly.
Our lips had other plans.
As he conquered my mouth, his hand roamed my thigh. Divine goddess, I wanted him to touch me. But that could wait. Right now, I needed to hear those three little words.
“Wait,” I said, tearing my lips away from his. “What were you going to say outside?”
He cocked his head as if in a daze. “Outside?”
I ran my fingers through his hair. “You were going to tell me how you feel about me?”
He looked at me through hooded eyes. “I was… I was going to say…”
“Yes?” My heart accelerated. This is it!
He opened his mouth to speak and then… the sound of a throat clearing made me jolt.
“Your Highness, forgive the interruption,” said a deep male voice.
With haste, I rolled off of His Highness, completely flustered and beyond annoyed.
We looked up to find a fully-armed soldier—a high ranking officer based on the insignia on his uniform—accompanied by a servant. They both looked deeply uncomfortable. At least we all had that in common.
“What is it, Henrik?” Though he looked disheveled, Tarben sounded murderous as he addressed the officer.
“We’ve had word from the border. A skirmish has broken out between our forces and some radicals from Vicaster.
We must depart without delay to contain the situation before it escalates further.
” He had the good sense to look apologetic when he spoke, but that did little to settle the anger bubbling away at my insides.
Tarben swore loudly. “Leave us. I will join you shortly.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” They bowed and briskly departed.
“Why would Vicaster attack your troops?” I asked, my words clipped. If we were to be so inconveniently interrupted, I deserved to know why. “I thought relations between your kingdoms were friendly.”
He dragged a hand through his hair. “They are. This attack is the work of a small, unauthorized faction—rebels—aggrieved by Solvardunn’s refusal to join the conflict.”
I wasn’t fond of the thought of Tarben engaging in any sort of conflict, no matter the size of the opposition. “It sounds dangerous.”
“It’s nothing we can’t handle. We’ll put an end to their efforts soon enough.” He shrugged. The confidence in his voice did nothing to put me at ease. “For now,” he looked regretful, “I’d better get going.”
I huffed a sigh, but accepted his hand, allowing him to lift me off the settee.
“Please don’t be upset,” he said, sensing the shift in my mood.
I folded my arms and looked away. “I’m not upset.
” My entire body was rigid with frustration.
He’d come so close to admitting his feelings, and now?
Now I would have to wait until he returned from the border, if he even returned in time.
Still, sulking about it would get me nowhere with the prince.
Inhaling deeply through my nose, I forced myself to meet his gaze.
“I’m only worried for your safety,” I said, astonished to find it was one of the most truthful things I’d said to him all evening.
His expression softened as he stroked my cheek with his thumb. “I don’t want you to fret,” he said in a gentle voice. “We’ll be perfectly fine, and I’ll send word as soon as the dust has cleared.”
“Promise?” I asked quietly.
“I promise.” He gave me the softest of smiles. “I’ll have a guard escort you back to your bedchamber.”
I waved a dismissive hand. “There’s no need, I know the way.”
“There is a need when a murder occurred on these grounds only two nights ago.” His tone told me there was no point in arguing.
I was hardly pleased at the idea of being trailed by guards again, but I supposed I could allow it, just this once. “Fine.”
“But before you leave,” —he pulled me tightly into his body— “I must insist on saying a proper goodbye.” He brushed a strand of hair behind my shoulders, studying me as though he was committing my every feature to memory.
Then he kissed me softly, as if he had all the time in the world.
Despite my lingering annoyance, I leaned into his kiss, savoring his taste, his scent.
Finally, we parted, and, eyes still shut, Tarben let out a long groan.
“Was it that terrible?” I joked weakly.
“The opposite. It makes it very, very difficult to leave.”
“You don’t have to go; surely you could send someone else to oversee this? Your general?” I said, in a last-ditch effort.
“The general is already stationed there. My presence sends a clear message to the rebels, and anyone else who seeks to bring harm to my people. Besides, I will not sit back while my men put their lives at risk.”
“Why do you have to be so noble?” I grumbled.
He took my hand and led me outside the door, where two guards were stationed. “See that Miss Alara makes it safely to her chamber,” he instructed one of them.
We stared at each other. I told myself this would not be the last time I saw him. He said he’d only be gone for a few days.
I brushed my lips against the stubble of his cheek. “Hurry back,” I said into his ear.
Just as I was about to turn and leave, he drew me to him and brushed my mouth with his, one final time. When he spoke, his tone was serious. “You’ll be safe here at the castle, with the guards. Swear to me you won’t leave the grounds without them?”
“I swear,” I responded, not sure if I could deny him anything in that moment.
Seemingly satisfied, he bent down and whispered in my ear, “Then I swear I will hurry back to you, darling.”
My heart jumped at his words, but I said nothing in return.
With one final embrace, he let me go.
Accompanied by the guard, I made my way back to the guest wing, all the while wondering why it had been so difficult to say goodbye.
Tonight may not have ended how I’d hoped, but it was mostly a success. Tarben had been on the verge of confessing his love, I was certain of it. The border was only half a day’s ride away. And he would be back before full moon. He had to be.
What was more concerning was my body’s bizarre reaction to Tarben’s nearness, to his words, to the way he looked at me, how he’d called me darling... and why did I feel genuinely disappointed at the thought of not seeing him for the next few days?
Maybe it was a good thing to get some distance from him.
Clearly, I was enjoying his company a little too much.
Was it because I knew it couldn’t last? Was it easier to get caught up in the romance knowing it had a non-negotiable end date?
Or was it because, realistically, it could never work between us?
I’d never been one to resist what I was told I couldn’t have.
Either way, I would use my free time to track down the murderer. It would be much easier to accomplish without any distractions. Once I identified them, I would hand them over to the Royal Guard to deal with, Tarben would be out of danger, and my conscience would be clear.
When Tarben returned from the border, he would profess his love for me, the curse would be broken, and I would be free.
Free and a savior in my people’s eyes. I would return to Vantillios with a hero’s welcome.
I could finally, finally explore Amaros.
My grandmother would have to allow me to accompany her on official royal visits, after all I’d done for our kingdom.
Maybe I could even negotiate visits to foreign courts without her.
I’d heard the king of Pryrinth was very handsome, and his court was the most glamorous in the world.
Yes, my life would be so much better. And Tarben? Well, he’d be bereft at first. But he would eventually meet a nice girl to help him heal. He’d go on to marry and live a happy, but ultimately short, mortal life.
The thought made my stomach harden like dry clay.
I reached the door to my bedchamber. The guard gave me a silent nod, then retreated back down the corridor.
Ready to collapse into bed, I swung open the door and nearly jumped out of my skin.
There was a dark-haired figure sprawled comfortably across my bed, clutching the vial containing my potion.