Chapter 48
How long could a single person sleep? The sun must have been up for an hour already, and I’d left the bed at least two earlier.
After all, everything had to be perfect today.
The basket next to the suite door was filled to the brim with all the necessities imaginable.
I’d checked the contents five times already—within the last thirty minutes.
The saddlebags were already at the stables, overflowing with everything else we would possibly need.
No one would dare to steal anything. After all, I’d recruited both Fig and Antas to prepare Cath and guard the goods with their lives.
I could have given them the basket as well, but although I trusted them with the non-perishables, what if they had looked away for a second, and someone would have slipped poison into one of the many food items I’d packed?
Now that I came to think of it, maybe I shouldn’t have relied on anyone else with my logistics because no one would be as thorough as I am in safekeeping my baggage. Fuck.
To distract myself from the dilemma, I returned to the basket I had under my supervision and fidgeted with the lid. “Ouch, fuck this.”
At the last moment, I refrained from kicking the object that had attacked me, and I snarled at the willow splinter in my finger.
As much as sucking the bleeding piece of wood from my thumb annoyed me, if all the meticulously prepared food got ruined by a little sting of pain—and my nasty temper—that would be a disaster.
“Is everything alright?”
My head spun around when a deliciously tousled head poked out of the bedroom door. Nayana was still half asleep, but she took one glance at me as I nursed my finger and lolloped over.
“Hey, there’s no reason to fuss.”
“Are you hurt? Show me.”
“I caught a splinter, but the wound has healed already.”
“Aww, is the poor princeling suffering from an ouchie? Do you need me to kiss the pain away?”
Mh, not a bad idea. Would I get away if I took her teasing literally?
Fuck, I shouldn’t get distracted. “No joking, Naya. Instead, you’d better get dressed. Have you checked the washroom already?”
“No, I woke up to your cries of agony.”
“Cries? Agony?”
“Yes, for a moment, I thought you were under attack.”
Someone was in a mocking mood today. My lips curled up before I took a step in her direction, but she dodged my ministrations. “Big mistake.”
Her eyes widened adorably, and her delicious scent intensified.
My nostrils flared as I took a deep breath before prowling the few paces to where she stood, and something must have told her I was a male with a purpose, or she’d realized that rousing my hunting instincts hadn’t been the best idea.
This held true on a normal day, but today, even more so.
There was a time for a good hunt—and that was almost always—and there was one to stick to my well thought out strategies.
So I grabbed her and flung her over my shoulder, carrying her with big strides into the bathing chamber. Of course, my tiny woman protested, but I wasn’t having her complaints.
Setting her down carefully on the tiled floor, I nudged her deeper into the room and, with fascination, noticed one of my magic tendrils tugging on her wrist as well. “Get ready, Naya. I have plans for us today.”
“Plans?”
“Yes.”
“What kind of plans?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“Oh come on, tell me.”
“No.”
“Princeling.”
To speed affairs up, I shut the door in her face. My magic would make sure she’d find the package with my daily courtship gift, and since she was an intelligent female, she’d certainly catch what she was supposed to do.
Nine minutes or thirty-eight circles on the carpet plus four additional times checking the basket later, Nayana finally returned to the drawing room of our suite, and my gaze zeroed in on her.
She was wrapped in a heavy black cloak, which dragged over the floor—once upon a time, the garment had belonged to me.
I simply loved when she wore something of mine and when my scent surrounded her.
One of the reasons I ensured that only my soap was available in my quarters.
“You’re already wearing the cloak.”
“Look who has perfect vision.”
“So cheeky.” After I’d caught her once more, I was tempted to pull the black fabric aside to sneak a glimpse of what was underneath, but Nayana wasn’t having my attempts and had the audacity to swat my hand away.
“What can I say? You bring out the best in me.”
My growl was playful as I tugged her deeper into my embrace. “Come on, we should leave, or we’ll never make it.”
Reluctantly, I released her, grabbed the basket, and opened the door. Everything in me itched to snatch at least her hand, and after a quick battle and a daring glance from my female, I made up my mind.
“Fuck it.” That hand was mine, and I wouldn’t let her go, not even if my grandfather appeared in front of us. Even he wasn’t able to ruin today for me.
Thank the Triad for the rites and customs of my people. The High King could order the slaughter of thousands of fae, and no one would bat an eyelash. But if he messed with any of the rites, he’d have an uprising to deal with in no time.
Twice, I’d tried to trick him into committing a serious mistake like openly ignoring traditions, but both attempts hadn’t turned out well for me.
Hmm, maybe another shot was due.
But not when my courtship rites were involved. However, I should definitely revisit this train of thought later.
“Explain why we’re rushing through the palace as if it’s on fire.”
“You hate surprises, don’t you?”
“As if you enjoy them.”
She had a point. Also, the creases on her forehead made me reconsider keeping everything close to my chest.
Fuck.
She was worried, and that was the last thing I wanted. “I’m taking you on a small excursion to show you my favorite place in both worlds.”
Well, this wasn’t entirely true anymore because lately, my most treasured spot was wherever she stayed, but—technicalities.
“Oh, this is leisure? Is it safe for us to leave the palace?”
“In a way, yes.”
“Only in a way?”
“Sharing my secret sanctuary with you is something I crave. And yes, it’s safe enough. Don’t worry. For once, I’m quite sure Galrach doesn’t know nor care about my refuge, and for what it’s worth, we have an official concession for the Third Act of Courtship.”
“Oh.”
Her hand turned clammy.
Unacceptable.
Why was my courting affecting her nerves? After all, I’d clearly and more than once announced what my intentions were, and only because she was clinging to the illusion she could keep me at arm’s length didn’t make my efforts any less sincere.
Because one thing was certain. Nayana was mine, even if she still fought tooth and nail against admitting the truth. But we’d find out soon who was the more stubborn specimen of the two of us. While she was a serious contender, losing this particular battle would be intolerable for me.
“Why do we have to share a horse? After all the months of traveling, I’m sure I can ride on my own.”
“We don’t know for certain.”
“And we’ll never find out if I can’t try.”
“Ah, good. It was only a question of time until you saw reason, thank fuck.”
“Princeling.” Seething, I attempted to create some distance between us on top of Cath, Dion’s war horse, which was even more of a giant than the unnamed steed we’d left behind in Ivreia.
And of course, his coat rivaled his master’s hair in terms of darkness, as if the prince would perish if he came in contact with any other color than black for a prolonged amount of time.
To no one’s surprise, my struggles were in vain as the infuriating fae tightened his arms, tucked me closer into his chest, and rested his chin on my head.
He must place a lot of confidence in his stallion to relax in such a manner, and for an irritating second, I asked myself if he trusted the animal more than me.
As the unwanted picture of him whispering secrets into the beast’s ears entered my mind, I couldn’t stifle a chuckle.
Why had my thoughts taken such a weird turn?
“Shush now. We’ll be arriving soon.”
“About time.” A few weeks of leisure, and my body had forgotten how to adapt to spending several hours on horseback.
Being engulfed in a massive fae made movement complicated, but I rolled my hurting shoulders as well as I could.
“Are you in pain?”
“Caution Dion, you sound as if you’re concerned.”
“Of course. After all, there’s nothing in existence I care more about than you.”
My retort died on my tongue, a phenomenon arising much too often recently. Lately, the manner in which Dion was showing his affection—or infatuation—thrust me into the deep end of uncertainty every single time.
But what had I expected? The fae male was intense in his entirety—of course, his courtship would be no different. His words were like knives, designed not to hurt but to sever the fibers of my resolve, one thread at a time.
Even imagining him as hideous wouldn’t change anything—his diligence stayed the same after all. Ugh.
“Close your eyes, Nayana.”
Alright, I’d indulge the bossy fae and do as he ordered. For a while, nothing transpired except Dion’s hold on me tightening before Cath slowed down and soon ceased his movement altogether.
“Can I open my eyes again?”
“Soon. Be patient.”
An infuriating chuckle followed my huff, but the curse I had at the ready died on my lips and was replaced by a squeal as I suddenly found myself lifted from horseback. Clutching the first thing I could grab and ignoring a pained hiss, I only relaxed as my feet met the ground.
“Ouch. There’s no reason to bruise my arm.”
“As if I could. That thing is made of steel.”
“Not only my arm, believe me.”
Blood shot into my cheeks as Dion purred his words with a velvety undertone and accompanied them with a warm draft of breath against my ear. However, I refused to acknowledge his double entendre, one he’d only used to embarrass me. “Can I see where we are?”
The charged, playful energy behind me shifted into something softer. “One moment. Hold Cath, stay here. I won’t go far.”
My forehead wrinkled as I accepted my fate and the reins, wondering what the unpredictable prince was plotting. There were faint noises, but when a painful expletive reached my ear, my eyes shot open.
Only, Dion must have expected me to sneak a peek, since my world was still engulfed in black.
What a bastard, not trusting me in this.
My stomach clenched. What if he’d cursed because something had incapacitated him? Would I be doomed to remain blind? “Dion? Are you fine?”
“Yes, all good.” Because he sounded rather gruff, almost pouty, I let it rest but pondered the next few minutes about how I could give him shit for applying a magical blindfold—of course, he hadn’t taken from my Potential, or else I could have penetrated his power—without admitting that I’d cheated in the first place.
This was a conundrum, and as much as I chewed on the problem, there was no solution.
His evergreens and petrichors returned in full force moments before his powerful arms wrapped around me from behind, and his chin found its resting place on the crown of my head once more—but only after he’d placed a soft kiss on top of my tresses.
Blessed Immaru, if he planned to be sweet, you’d better come and rescue me before I could melt into a puddle.
“Take a look, tiny female.”
One day.
One day, I’d find out why he insisted on calling me tiny all the time, but right now, another curiosity won out. The black blindfold had disappeared when I opened my eyes, and I stared at something straight out of a fantasy tale.
Fascinated, I leaned into Dion’s embrace and admired the clearing in front of me.
The forest surrounding us had been pretty enough already, with the foliage colored in different hues of purples, blues, and magentas—so unlike everything I’d known about trees—and those silent giants stood watch all around the slice of paradise Dion had brought me to.
The clearing, or meadow, was covered in light blue grass that glittered under the light—nature was crazy in Galanta—and on our right, solid stone reached for the sky, breaking up the enclosure of the forest.
But not just a simple rock face. No, water raced down the rugged surface, the flow broken in places because of some protruding overhangs, and when my gaze followed the falling, streaming water to the small basin it gathered in, my breath hitched.
The lagoon itself was so clear that I had no problem admiring the plethora of glimmering, multicolored stones forming the lake bed.
Behind the waterfall, there was an opening in the cliff—a cave of some sort, I guessed.
I couldn’t fully make out the hidden grotto, as the rushing water served as a natural curtain, hiding from view what lay beyond.
A quaint stream led away from the lagoon and disappeared a few paces away into the underground.
“This is—magical.” For the first time in forever, I didn’t mind how breathless I sounded.
“It is. I found this spot many winters ago, and as I’m an egoistic bastard, I made sure no one else would ever come here.”
“Who knows of this place?”
“Me. And now you. This is my sanctuary.”
“And you let me in?”
“Of course, Nayana. Ultimately, I want to share everything with you.”
My throat dried up, and I steered the conversation in another direction. “What is the Third Act of Courtship, exactly?”
“It’s all about sharing an important piece of oneself.”
There had to be more. Sometimes, he forgot I could read him well enough to understand when he was intentionally vague. But he’d sounded so vulnerable, I simply didn’t want to pry deeper. “Thank you. Sharing your refuge with me—that’s special.”
“Would you grant me the honor and spend a while here with me?”
“At times, your formality surprises me—or that you can indeed ask politely.” Vulnerability or not, I couldn’t stop teasing the male, who was still holding me hostage in his embrace.
“That’s not an answer, Nayana.”
“Impatient fae.” My eyes latched onto the blanket resting on a patch of grass and on all kinds of delicacies spread on top of the cloth.
This was nothing the prince had decided on a whim, on the contrary.
And from the rumble vibrating against my back, I concluded that his patience to wait for a serious answer was wearing thin.
So, I granted him mercy. “Yes, Dion. I’ll gladly stay with you at your sanctum for a while. ”
I wasn’t ready for his reaction and gasped when he suddenly shifted into motion, lifting me with one arm under my knees, the other behind my back.
“Then let me spoil you.”
Gods, I was in deep shit, wasn’t I?