Chapter 19 #2
“Hey, asshole, that’s my date for the night!” Koa yells at us.
I chuckle, reaching for August’s hand, loving the way it feels in mine. Our eyes meet, and a dimpled smile spreads across his golden face. I tear my gaze away before his disarming smile takes hold of me, and I pounce on him in front of the other princes.
I withdraw my hand and place it flat on his chest, trying not to focus on the way his chest feels. “I need to go run an errand, but I’ll see you soon, okay?”
The light in his eyes dims. “And here I thought we’d get some extra time with you,” he says with a pout.
“I thought you were having fun at your sleepaway camp,” I say, eyebrows raised.
He leans down, his voice a whisper in my ear, “They’re not as pretty as you, though.”
“Oh, they’ll be so disappointed to hear you think that,” I say jokingly.
I step away and find Koa’s eyes, only to find him staring at us already, the expression on his face unreadable. “I’ll see you later, Koa,” I say with a smile and a wave before heading back to the castle.
The “errand” I need to run is talking to Cally.
William, as always, is on guard at the front doors of the castle.
“Hi, William! Would you mind escorting me to Bound?”
He nods, takes a step forward, then stops. “What is Bound, Your Highness?”
“Oh! Sorry, it’s my bookstore. It’s in downtown Pinebend. Can you portal us there?”
He nods vigorously. “It would be my honor. After you, Your Highness.”
I shoot him a glare. “What have I said about that?”
He grimaces and apologizes, making me feel bad for chastising him. I offer him an apologetic smile, then turn on my heels and head out of the oversized front doors toward the approved portal location.
As we near the clearing, Asmo comes walking down the path. His hands are stuffed into his black trousers, and his crisp white shirt billows in the wind. I can’t tear my eyes from him as he walks. From here, I can pretend he’s not the asshole High Prince. From here, I can pretend he hasn’t hurt me.
His last words echo through me as I watch him. Let me know if you need someone else to choke you. A delicious shiver rolls down my spine.
His gaze is focused on the forest, his sharp jawline on display as he takes in the scenery. He turns his head and his gaze finds mine. Those butterflies take flight again as our eyes meet. No, not butterflies—this feels like small bolts of lightning are landing directly on my heart.
A corner of his mouth lifts as every step brings him closer to me. “Hello, Your Highness,” he croons as he forms a deep bow. “Going somewhere?” he asks, glancing at William.
“Hi, Asmo,” I say, trying desperately not to seem like I was just staring at him. Trying desperately not to seem like I was just thinking about what his hands would feel like around my throat. That corner of his mouth twitches up even further.
I refrain from shaking my head, a habit I have when I try to clear my jumbled thoughts. Instead, I stand taller. “I’m about to go visit my bookstore,” I say proudly.
“Wonderful,” he says, clapping his hands together. “I’m in need of a new book. Shall we?” he says, taking a step closer and falling in line beside me.
I hesitate. The last time I was alone with him, it ended with me busting my head open on the shower floor. But I remember Elle’s advice. I have to make nice with Asmo. I inhale, forcing crisp air into my lungs.
“Sure,” I say, forcing enthusiasm into my voice.
His answering chuckle is low, rumbling in his chest. He steps forward, and I have no choice now but to follow him. After a few steps, he stops and turns.
“I’ll escort her,” he says to William.
William freezes. “Bu—”
Asmo’s glare turns dark. “Do you not think I can protect her?”
“Of course you can, Prince Asmo,” William mutters.
“Stop, Asmo. He’s just doing his job.” Annoyance laces my tone.
He tilts his head back to me, then back to William. His gaze softens. “Thank you for protecting her. I can take it from here.”
William hesitates, then looks at me. I give him a reassuring nod. “It’s okay, William. Thank you, though. Please return to the castle.” He gives me a final nod, then turns and heads back to his post.
“Where are we going?” Asmo asks. I turn to him, finding his piercing gaze locked on me. Zap.
“It’s in Pinebend. Do you know it?” I ask, unable to meet his gaze for more than a second.
He holds his hand out to me. I glance at it, then look at him, one eyebrow raised.
“We need to be touching to funnel together. Otherwise, you’ll stay here while I get to travel to your store,” he explains, hand still outstretched.
I reach for it, instantly buzzing at the feeling of his skin against mine.
He pulls me forward and wraps his arm around my waist. “Hold tight,” he whispers before the wind starts to whip around us. The feeling is similar to traveling via portal, but the temperature doesn’t drop, and I can see.
The wind crescendos then slows as Pinecrest materializes around us.
Asmo’s hand lingers on the small of my back as he steps away from me.
I stifle a laugh as I watch him survey the downtown area, dark eyes assessing the storefronts and the citizens of Pinecrest as they walk down the tree-lined streets. He looks so out of place.
I chose to move to Pinebend because of its laid-back, easygoing atmosphere. Asmo’s posture is rigid, his jaw clenched, but his eyes…There’s joy in them, fascination, as he looks around.
“Welcome to the small downtown of Pinebend.” I can’t help the pride that creeps into my voice.
This has been my home for the last seven years.
I’m proud of the life I’ve built here. I’m a part of this community.
My store is a staple of the downtown shops.
When I was younger, I felt like I missed out on living near hybrids like me and embracing my culture, our human village woefully stuck in its human ways.
Moving to Pinecrest was my opportunity to build a life for myself. And I did. A small pang of loss hits me when I realize this is no longer my life, but I shake it off. I’ve spent enough time feeling sorry for myself.
Asmo’s eyes turn back to me, catching my own. I look away quickly, embarrassed that he caught me staring at him.
“It’s cute,” he says simply. I’m shocked to realize that it doesn’t feel like a dig or a sarcastic comment. It seems genuine.
I smile and point to the emerald storefront on the opposite side of the square. “That’s my bookstore.”
The front door opens as a female exits the store, a tote bag slung over her shoulder.
“Shall we?” he asks, gesturing forward.
I take the lead, Asmo falling in step beside me. “What is the City of Sand like?”
He scoffs. “Not like this. It’s dry. Hot. Barely any vegetation.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing it someday,” I say, glancing at him. He stares straight forward, his face back to his usual mask of indifference.
Bound’s front door pushes open. That familiar smell of leather-bound books wraps around me. I feel like it’s grown stronger since I’ve left. Or I’ve just been gone too long.
“Welcome!” Cally’s voice rings from in between the shelves. “Let me know if you need anything!”
Asmo walks to the bookshelves and tilts his head, surveying the titles and stepping to the right. He runs one finger down the spine of a red leather-bound book.
“What kinds of books do you like to read?” I ask.
He shuffles to the side again, head still tilted. “I prefer nonfiction, mostly history.”
“Makes sense,” I mutter.
He bends down, looking at the titles on the lower shelves. “And why is that?” he asks, glancing up at me, one eyebrow raised.
“You’re just so serious.”
He chuckles. “You don’t know me, princess.”
I mumble an agreement, then turn on my heels in search of Cally. She’s in the last row of shelves, recording the conditions of the books in a leather notebook.
Her head turns as the sounds of my feet echo on the worn hardwood floors. Her face lights up in a grin. “I didn’t know you were stopping by today!”
I return her smile, my heart warming in her presence. “I wanted to talk to you about something. Can we go back to the office?”
“Sure…” She sets her notepad down and places the book back on the shelf. We walk to the back in silence, Cally shooting me nervous looks the whole way. I make sure the office door clicks shut, and I turn the deadbolt.
“The last time you stopped by and pulled me back here, you told me you were the High Princess. What could this be about?” she asks, sinking into her usual chair in front of the desk.
I sit in my usual chair, thinking through how best to tell her about my dream with the Mother without sounding absolutely crazy.
“I think…I think the Mother visited me in my dreams the other night. But also, I think it wasn’t a dream.”
Cally stares at me for one, two, three seconds. “Huh?”
“I was sleeping, and I had this weird dream about this woman stepping out of moss in my bedroom. Then she handed me a book in the dream. When I woke up, the book was in my bedroom, like it was real.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “Okay…But what makes you think it was the Mother?”
I recount the dream. By the time I finish, Cally’s eyes are wide. “Why?” she asks in disbelief. “No offense, you’re great, but why give you that book?”
I shake my head. “The only thing I can come up with is that she wants me to know Wrena’s story. And it gets weirder. Today, I spoke to our librarian, and she told me that there is a prophecy about Wrena’s line, but it’s not her daughter that will ascend to the throne. It’s her granddaughter.”
“So? How does that help anything?” Cally asks.
I place my head in my hands and let loose a loud groan. “I don’t know.” I lift my head back up. “But it’s weird, right?”
“Bit of an understatement, but yeah,” she mutters.
Two short knocks rap on the office door.
“Damnit,” Cally mutters as she stands. “We’ve been back here forever.”
I grimace. “Sorry, Cal.”
She waves me off with a hand. “No, I’m glad you told me.” She unlatches the door and swings it open, freezing as she sees the prince before her.
Asmo stands there, a black book in his head. “I thought you should know you have several people waiting to purchase books from your fine establishment.”
“Th-thank you,” Cally says. She steps past him, carefully avoiding touching him. When she’s in the hall, she shoots me a glare around Asmo’s tall frame.
I mouth an apology and she darts away, shooting one last look at Asmo.
“Sorry for taking so long,” I say to Asmo. “We can head out.”
He gestures to the book. “I need to pay for this first.”
I wave the offer away. “Please, just keep it. We have so many books. You’re doing us a favor taking one so we can make room for more.”
“As you wish, princess,” he whispers, eyes glued to me. “Thank you for letting me come with you today.”
The small office suddenly feels claustrophobic. I take a step back, bumping against the desk. My chest feels too tight. The light green around his iris seems to glimmer as he stares at me.
“Yeah, thanks for coming,” I say awkwardly, leaning back on the desk.
He chuckles, one corner of his mouth pulling up in a half-grin. “Come on. I practically forced you to bring me.”
I shrug. “Maybe, but I’m glad you came. I’m proud of this,” I say, waving around the room. “It’s nice to show someone new.”
He takes a step closer, book still in one hand.
He runs his free hand through his hair, and I’m thankful for the desk because my knees go a little weak at the motion.
I hate myself for it. I hate myself for the way my body is reacting right now as I remember the way his words affected me the other night.
He drops his gaze and stares at the book in his hands. “I’m sorry for what I said the other night.” His words are soft, but they hit me hard. He doesn’t give me the chance to respond. Instead, he turns and exits the office.
I wait for my breathing to return to normal, then follow him out. Cally stands at the front desk, recording records of every purchase and providing coins in exchange, telling everyone, “Thank you. Come again,” before they exit the store.
I give her a wave before Asmo and I follow a sandy-blonde-haired female out the front door. We walk back in silence before he offers me his hand and funnels us back to the grounds.
“So, how did you like Pinebend?” I ask him as we walk up the path toward the castle.
He considers this. “It was nice.” Again, his words seem genuine.
“Could you ever see yourself living there?” As soon as the words are out, I want to suck them right back in.
He stares straight ahead, his mouth set in a line and his eyes void of life. “I can never leave my court.” His words hang in the space between us.
“What do you mean?” I push.
He doesn’t respond right away, instead taking several steps in silence, staring straight at the path. “It’s just not an option for me. Marik can leave, but my parents have groomed me into the next Serpent King. I have a responsibility to my people. I don’t take that lightly.”
“Why did you come here then? If you’re not even interested in marrying me?” I try my best to make my tone soft and non-accusatory, but the words still come out harsh.
He turns his head, one eyebrow raised. “I didn’t say—” He stops, then takes a deep breath and turns his gaze back to the path in front of us.
His jaw clenches as he considers his next words.
“I wanted the chance to meet you, to form a relationship as future King and Queen of our respective courts. It was a diplomatic move.”
Now it’s my turn to raise an eyebrow at him. “With all due respect, Asmo, you haven’t been very diplomatic toward me. You’re doing a shitty job if I’m being honest.”
Again, I want to suck the words right back in. I cringe as they exit my mouth, but surprisingly, he tosses his head back as he laughs. As he does, a single ray of light peeks through the trees, lighting up his smile. As if the Mother Herself has deemed his smile worthy of a spotlight.
His smile fades, and his expression turns somber once again. “No, you’re right. I’m…It’s been hard. I’m sorry.”
I don’t press. His words don’t mean anything to me unless he changes. But even then, would he leave everything he’s worked for to be with me? He’s already said he can’t—or won’t—leave his court for me, which makes every word meaningless.
I ignore the way my heart flutters in his presence. It’s meaningless, after all.