Chapter 13 #3
“You already have her concerned about me, too.” He chuckled.
“It seems she’s a very sensible horse, but I’m guessing neither of us will talk you out of this.”
“You have tried and failed.” He smirked.
My brow furrowed.
“The way you look at me sometimes…” He smoothed his tunic as he let out another laugh. “You don’t look at others like that.”
I tried to relax the muscles in my face. “You haven’t seen me around Fyn then,” I retorted.
If anyone else enjoyed prodding at me, it was Fyn. There were so many faces I made at him too.
His smile faded, and without so much as a nod he took off. Gaia followed obediently without my command.
Even and rhythmic, her hooves struck the land beneath me. The wind blew against my cheeks—I was free. She raced alongside Veylar, their strides falling into a perfect rhythm.
Veylar came to a stop a while later and Gaia did, too. Sweat beaded at his brow as he climbed down from Veylar. His breathing was uneven as he placed his hand out for me. He winced as I took it.
“You’re in pain. I shouldn’t have—”
“You must think so little of me that you think I can’t help a lady off her horse.” He quickly unclenched the muscles in his face as if nothing happened.
“I am fully capable of climbing out of a saddle on my own.” I was, but it wouldn’t be graceful. I almost always had help.
I looked away the moment I noticed I had been staring for too long. So many words were left unspoken after I sensed him at the willow. I hadn’t wanted to say anything about it at all.
“Lioran…”
“Yes?” He patted Veylar as he leaned against the tree. “You can let her go,” he nodded toward Gaia, “she will stay close by.” I ran my hand through her mane, before she walked off with Veylar.
“Thank you. Truly.” My voice was soft. “It felt so freeing. To ride by myself again.”
“She’s yours. You may take her out when you like. I would be happy to ride with you.”
I wanted that, but I was too afraid to say it.
“Or Fyn if you would prefer his company. You two are together often.”
My laughter echoed across the meadow.
He only tilted his head.
“You’re different around him.” His words slowed.
“There are few bold enough to joke with me.”
He folded his arms across his chest. “Where you come from…others don’t joke with you?”
“No, but most are more reserved around me.” Like he was. I felt his unease, watched the way he slowly tilted his head again as if he was carefully listening to each word I spoke.
“And you enjoy Fyn’s humor?”
“It’s a refreshing change.”
“One that has enhanced your feelings for him?” He peered around me back at Veylar and Gaia. Both horses grazed freely. He didn’t need to check their whereabouts. I had no doubt that Lioran could sense them even without looking at them.
“You think I have feelings for Fyn?” My lips parted, ready to say I didn’t.
He was asking as if he cared if I did…as if it meant something if I did. I didn’t know if it meant something to him, or if he was just curious. I wanted to ask why it mattered, but I stopped myself.
“Sometimes he leaves me feeling annoyed,” I said.
A hint of the slightest smirk settled on his face.
“He is usually laughing at my expense or making jokes at the worst possible moment. In fact, when you were bleeding out, he only continued his commentary. You probably don’t remember.”
He mostly kept his stoic expression, but his lips tugged upward into a slow grin. “I won’t tell him that you said that…yet.”
“I have no doubt he already knows it.”
“I remember his commentary…I also remember you. You were holding my hand.” His gaze landed on me and I couldn’t look away. “You kept me holding on. When I wasn’t sure if I could any longer.”
My cheeks flushed, burning with a fire I couldn’t calm. “I was so scared…” I would never see him again.
He reached toward me, his fingers stopped inches from mine. “I hope neither of us face that again.”
Something in me shifted—strange and new. Suddenly I was disappointed his hand fell from mine.
It wasn’t possible.
It shouldn’t be.
But when I looked up into his silver eyes, and he looked back into mine, my heart only raced faster.
He pushed up his sleeves, revealing the three band tattoos around his arm.
“What do they represent?” Without thinking, I traced the design.
“My three titles—Guardian of Lythira, Prince of Nythrel, and Heir to the Throne.”
My fingers curled slowly into my palm.
“You’re the future King of Nythrel?”
“Yes.” He lowered his head for a moment before he continued.
I hadn’t even considered he might be.
“What does the future King of Nythrel plan to do with the daughter of his enemy?” His expression hardened as I spoke. “You can tell me.” There were so many things I wanted to say, but none of it mattered until I knew.
“I have offered you safe haven in my lands. The life you choose to make here is yours for as long as you wish to stay. I will protect you however I can.”
His words were a whisper on the wind.
My heart thundered in my chest, but for a moment, I reveled in the peace his words brought. We both knew the truth that remained unspoken. My time here in Lythira, with him, would be fleeting.