Chapter 25
I sit up straight and look him in the eye. “Are you being serious right now?”
His eyes meet mine, and they almost glow because of the reflection of the moon. “Completely.”
“I’m your favorite person?” I repeat, not able to fully believe him.
He frowns. “You’re the only person I like.”
I laugh at that. He’s so serious. “No, I’m not.”
“Pretty sure, you are,” he argues.
“You like a lot of people—Rysden, Taren, Mae, and Jorren. And those are just a few of the people I know.”
“Fine, but I like you the most.”
I can’t help my smile. “I’ll take it.”
He smiles at me then, and it feels like my stomach bottoms out. I try to remember what we were talking about and immediately sober up when I remember. “So, Rysden’s dad.” He sobers as well. “Farrah killed Rysden’s mom.”
I can feel his shock. “Really?”
“Yes, but in her defense, Rysden’s mom asked her to.
His mom was a seer; you know that, right?
” At his nod, I continue. “She told Farrah that a time would come when she would take out the king. She told her that Rysden would never be able to do it. Farrah didn’t know at the time that she meant the opportunity would come through her.
During a battle with the king and his soldiers, his mom set herself up to be killed by Farrah. ”
Sadness fills me when I think of how Rysden’s mom gave herself for the good of her son and her people. “I didn’t know any of that,” Kaldar finally says. “I imagine it’s not something Rysden passes around.”
“He wasn’t mad at her,” I rush to say. “His mom told him before she died that she’d asked Farrah to do it. She even said thank you.”
He shakes his head slowly and then tips it back against the wall, staring out the open window at the moon. “Thank you for telling me.”
I lay my head against his chest, and he runs a hand up and down my spine. “You’re welcome.”
I think of what I want to ask next. “Why didn’t you want me to come to your assembly today?”
He sighs wearily, and I almost regret the question. “Mae told me she and Taren made a mess of things. It’s not that I didn’t want you to come, but as soon as you show yourself publicly, they’ll push for the Jade Ceremony. So for now, I’ve told the elder board that you’re injured, which you are.”
It makes sense, and I feel bad for getting my feelings hurt when he was obviously only trying to protect me.
I don’t say anything after that, and neither does he.
I’m just content to be near him. It’s only after Kaldar shakes me awake, do I even realize I fell asleep on him.
I start to sit up and wince in pain. Kaldar notices immediately. “Is your arm hurting again?”
I nod. “Yes, but she left more of the salve. I just have to get it.”
He pats my leg and then gently picks me up and deposits me on the floor next to him. “I’ll get it. Where is it?”
“On the counter over there.” He’s on his feet a moment later, so much more graceful than I could ever be. When he comes back, he squats down next to me and reaches for my arm. I bite my lower lip when he applies the cream. I can tell by the way he’s doing it, it’s not going to work.
“Sryena said you have to be firm.”
He pauses and looks at my face. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“I know, but she said if you don’t really rub it in, it won’t work.”
He studies my face a moment longer, and I try not let the pain show on my face.
“Okay. I’ll do it fast.” I make a pained sound when he rubs it in much firmer.
But true to his word, he gets it done quickly.
As soon as he’s done, he stands and puts out his hand to my good hand and pulls me to my feet. “I’m sorry I hurt you,” he says softly.
“It’s okay,” I tell him, willing the salve to work.
“Want me to take your mind off it?”
I look up at him in confusion. “What?”
“Want me to take your mind off it?” he asks again.
“I guess. I don’t know why it—”
He tugs me towards him with my uninjured arm, silencing me.
He wraps a strong arm around my back and pulls me close to his chest, being careful to make sure my injured arm is not caught between us.
He closes the distance between us until there are only millimeters separating us.
We’re so close, I can feel his breath on my face.
He locks eyes with me. “Is this okay?” His voice is lower than normal.
I can’t find my tongue to save my life, so I nod instead.
A moment later, his lips touch mine so softly I think I imagined it.
But when he does it again, I realize it’s not my imagination.
It’s real. Kaldar is kissing me. It takes me an extra second to respond because.
..because Kaldar is kissing me. I respond to his kiss, giving as good as he’s giving me.
He groans low in his chest and pulls me closer, and I smile against his lips.
I love this power over him. But then he tips my head to position us better, and I’m no longer smiling because he’s kissing me with an intensity I’ve only dreamed of.
He nips at my lower lip, and a gasp escapes me.
His lips leave mine, and I instantly miss them until I feel his lips on my cheek and then on the column of my neck.
I shiver when he kisses me below my ear.
“You like that?” he murmurs against my skin and does it again.
I can’t stop the shudder that runs through me.
He kisses me on my shoulder and then finds my lips once again.
When he pushes against my lips, I know what he’s aiming for, and I cave.
I open my mouth for him, and he thrusts his tongue inside immediately.
As soon as his tongue touches mine, he growls low in his chest and pushes me back against the wall gently, still being careful of my injured arm.
I’m so lost in him, I don’t even remember what my name is.
When we’re both gasping for air, he pulls back slightly.
His eyes meet mine in the dark, and he reaches a large hand up to cradle my jaw.
“You are the most amazing person I’ve ever met. You know that, right?”
His words rush over me, causing warmth everywhere. “It’s probably just the hormones talking,” I whisper. He smiles and runs a thumb over my cheekbone.
“It’s not just hormones,” he says quietly. He studies my face as if he’s memorizing every single detail. “You are so beautiful.”
“You’re pretty handsome yourself.”
He smiles and ducks his head for one more chaste kiss. “This might be a bad time to bring this up.”
I go still. “What?”
“I’m sure you already put this together, but we have to share a bed tonight.”
“We have to?”
“Sorry. I worded that badly. We can share a bed if you are willing. If not, I’ll sleep on the floor next to the bed. I just can’t sleep out here because with the open windows somebody could walk past and—”
“See that we’re not sleeping together and piece things together. Got it.”
He stares down at me. “You know I’d never force you into anything, right? Even sharing a bed.”
“I know that, Kaldar. And I don’t feel pressured at all. If you don’t mind, I’m fine with it.”
“Mind?” He snorts. “Kinsley, I’ve wanted you in my bed since the moment I laid eyes on you.”
I laugh. “You have not.”
His eyes go wide. “Yes, I have. Ask me what you were wearing the first day of the first trial?”
I put my good hand on my hip. “Okay, Your Highness. What was I wearing the first day of the first trial?”
I don’t even remember what I’d been wearing that day.
“You were wearing a pair of black pants that had seen better days and a red shirt with a hole right...here.” He points to my left side, and I stare at him in shock.
He fingers my hair. “Your gorgeous hair was pulled back into a tight braid. I remember thinking even then that you looked too kind, too gentle for the trials.” I laugh and shake my head, but he doesn’t smile.
“Then I learned that you could be fierce too, when those you loved were in danger.” His eyes meet mine.
“But you didn’t lose that kindness or gentleness.
” He slides his hand around to the nape of my neck under my hair.
“And I, for one, am so grateful.” He kisses me again softly, and this time, I’m so stuck in my own head, I barely kiss him back.
He kisses me one more time. “Come on. Let’s get to bed. ”
He takes my hand in his and leads me back to the room I woke up in earlier. “Don’t we need to close the front door?” I ask.
“Not unless you feel uncomfortable.”
I shrug. “It’s your home.”
“Our home,” he gently corrects. “I always keep the front door open as a sign that I’m open to my people.
“That’s nice,” I say rather absently, because I’m suddenly wondering how you get any privacy with a door and windows that stay open all the time.
“Kinsley, what are you thinking?” I can hear the humor in his voice, but I’m not about to tell him what I was thinking.
“All right,” I say, rubbing my hands together. “Which side of the bed do you sleep on?”
He snags my good hand and spins me around to face him. “The door to this room closes and locks.” He leans forward and whispers against my ear. “And this particular room is sound-proofed.” I feel my face go up in flames, even as he smiles gently. “Does that help you feel better?”
Knowing he can see my face anyway, I finally cave. “Okay, fine. Yes.”
He tugs me forward. “Was that so hard?”
“Yes.”
He smirks but releases me. “I’ll take the side closest to the door if that’s okay with you.”
“Perfect.”
I turn around, looking for the bag I brought with. When I don’t see it, I start towards the door. “What do you need?” he asks.
“My bag. Have you seen it?”
He joins me in searching for it. After a few minutes, though, it’s obvious it’s not in the house. “What do you think happened to it?”
“I told somebody on my team to make sure it got here; I can’t remember who in the midst of all the craziness, though.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
He opens a drawer and pulls out a shirt. “Here. You can wear this tonight, and I’ll find your bag tomorrow.”
“Thanks.” I’m too tired to really care what I wear to bed.
“Do you need to take a bath before bed?” he asks.
“Should I? I wasn’t planning on it because I thought the hot water would hurt, but if you think I should...”
He chuckles. “You’re fine. I just wanted to offer.”
We get ready for bed quickly. He offers me everything I need to take care of myself and promises me again that we’ll find my bag tomorrow.
I change into his shirt quickly and fold my clothes and put them in a neat pile on the floor.
I’ve just stood up from doing that when Kaldar opens the door and steps into the room.
I feel like the oxygen is suddenly sucked from the room, and I find it hard to breathe.
He’s only wearing black pants, leaving his very solid, very muscular chest and arms on full display.
I would feel awkward staring at him, but he’s staring right back.
He finally clears his throat and walks over to the bed.
I don’t say a word as I walk to the other side of the bed and climb in.
Only after I’m settled does he climb in on his side.
I stare up at the ceiling, unsure what to say or how to act.
“I have a new house rule,” his husky voice breaks the quiet.
“Okay.” I’m uncertain where he’s going with this.
“You can only wear one of my shirts while in this house.”
I can’t help the slow smile that builds. “Yeah?”
“Yes.”
“Won’t that be a problem when other people come over to visit, particularly any men?” I ask dryly.
He makes a sound in his chest. “Okay. Just at night then.”
Feeling extra bold, I turn towards him. “Okay, but then I have a house rule too.”