Chapter Three
THORNE
Silver snorts, bowing his head and ruffling his large wings slightly. Our horses here are similar to earthly horses, but they also have wings. I stroke a palm down the side of his neck. “Thank you for today,” I say.
He curves his neck toward me, his eye meeting mine before he twitches his tail. I leave him in his spacious stall, where he will rest and eat like the spoiled creature he is. Only then do I give in to the urge humming inside me. I follow the tug I feel into the barn. Romi is there.
Moments later, I can still taste her on my mouth as she holds my gaze, lifting her chin. One kiss nearly brings me to my knees. As strong and stubborn as she tries to appear, I can feel her vulnerability shimmering under the surface. I feel her fear and almost disbelief that anyone can protect her.
“I promise I will protect you. Always. You must believe me,” I say, my voice low.
A pink flush stains her cheeks, and her tongue darts out to slide across her bottom lip. The sight of it buries the claws of need even deeper into me. I never doubted the existence of the infinity pulse, but even then, its power takes me by surprise.
My parents loved each other deeply. When we lost my father, my mother grieved so powerfully that I feared for her.
She has recovered but insists she can be with no other man.
Yet I hear the subtle shake in her voice and see the tremble in her hands when she speaks of my father.
I worry for her often. It’s only her strength that lets me know she will be okay.
“Who hurt you?” I ask Romi.
While I do not know who hurt her, I know she has been hurt deeply. A single tear slides down her cheek. I step closer, wrapping her in my embrace. I hope my touch conveys what I know in my heart and soul, that she will always be safe with me. “I will keep you safe,” I rasp.
Romi stiffens for a beat before she softens against me, one arm sliding around my waist while the other palm presses against my heart. After a long moment, she lifts her head. I want to kiss away the tears streaked on her cheeks.
“You will, won’t you?” she asks.
“Always,” I promise.
The sound of horses running outside reaches us. “I have to take care of the horses,” she says.
Reluctantly, I press a kiss on her forehead before stepping away. “I will talk to the prince and princess about our wedding. Until then, I will see you here every day.”