man jealous perhaps? That would be interesting and slightly exciting if he was.
“It’s just a jacket to help keep me warm.”
“In this heat? No, princess. That was given to show a mark, a sign to others.”
Was it? I hadn’t thought much on the subject as to why Cole would give me something so obvious that it was owned by his
family. Looking at the collar, there was a small gold pin pushed firmly into it. A family crest, with a raven in the middle. If
anyone were to look close enough, they would see whose jacket it was.
“Well, I don’t plan on keeping it and will return it to its owner when I happen to see them next.”
“Are you sure you want to return it?”
My soul almost escaped out of my body as I leaped from the log and saw he was sitting next to me. In the same outfit as he
was in my dream, or whatever that was. Perhaps he really was something of my imagination. Maybe an imaginary friend. Then
again, did imaginary friends try to kiss the other person?
“I don’t want to give the gentleman hope,” I finally said, sitting back down. “And anyhow, why were you spying on me?”
“I don’t mean to. Sometimes I like to check in, and after the news I gave you, I wanted to be sure you were alright. You
seemed flustered earlier.”
A flash of the memory flew in my mind, and I quickly shook my head to try and remove it. Making myself a little dizzy in
the process. I realised then I still hadn’t eaten, and it was now the late afternoon.
“That is—eh—thank you. I am doing just fine.”
He looked at me with his blue eyes, brushing a strand of hair from my face. I involuntarily leaned in against the palm of his
hand. Colder than expected but a part of me craved his touch.
“I know he is within the castle. If you wish, I could send a plague of nightmares to him whenever he sleeps.”
A small chuckle escaped my lips at the seriousness his face seemed to hold. That surely would make a good punishment to
Dorian, and one I would enjoy hearing about.
“I will never tire of that sound,” he muttered gently, taking my hand and kissing my open palm.
“What sound?” I asked, suddenly confused.
“Your laugh.”
“Oh, my laugh isn’t very lady like.”
“That’s why I enjoy it. And if anyone were to take it from me, I will burn this world to the ground just to get it back.”
I lowered my eyes as I felt his bore into me, watching my every move, and studying my every breath. Redness appeared
against my cheeks once again. I wanted more of these moments. Right here, in a field filled with flowers, with him sitting next
to me as we talked, forgetting our stations and just being us. This was where I wanted to be.