He had a valid point. Even if it had been Norok’s best friend who hurt him, that friend would have stood trial against the
crown. Lord Cole was simply doing what he thought was best, but then again, I was still convinced he was smiling when he
saw my brother go down.
“You were smiling when you disappeared.”
“Nerves,” he said flippantly, “Honestly, I would never hurt Norok.”
He still had his hands up in front of him, to continue showing me he wasn’t carrying a weapon. Except I would never be
one hundred percent sure that he didn’t have one concealed, as most men did.
“I don’t know if I can trust you, Lord Cole.”
“I would never hurt you, princess. I risked my life coming here. I had to speak with you. I know your brother is in a bad
condition. I could have a healer from my lands come and help him.”
I sat down on the edge of my bed with a sigh. I was exhausted from having this conversation with so many others. Everyone
had a healer they could send, but no one was powerful enough to remove the infliction from Norok. None of them were the
Goddess herself.
It distressed me as I just wanted my brother back. I wanted everything to go back to the way it once was. Where the only
thing I had to worry about was marriage.
“I am sorry I hurt you.” His voice broke as he lowered his hands finally, looking at me with his beautiful eyes.
“Did you really not mean to hurt Norok?”
“No, I mean, I meant to win but I did not intend for his horse to trample him.”
That was true, the aim of the game was to knock the other rider off their horse and Norok’s injuries were mostly from his
horse running over him multiple times. It did not explain his actions, even if he thought he’d be to blame for hurting Norok on
purpose. It would have been proven to be a mistake, but as he ran, everyone blamed him.
“Your highness, I came here tonight to say goodbye. I am leaving to go back home. My father has sent word to the king that
it was an accident, and I will face my consequences at home.”
My chest twisted a little and I felt oddly sad at the news of his departure. It made sense why he would leave. He would no
longer be welcomed here. Not to mention that the idea of him and I marrying was now very much a faded dream.
“I am sorry you’re having to leave,” I said before admitting, “I will miss our conversations.”
I didn’t know what came over me or why I felt unexpectedly brave or courageous as I stood from my bed and made my way
towards Cole. He looked at me with hunger burning in his eyes as he stood. Our eyes met, making my heart thud in my chest.
“I will miss them too,” he muttered, stepping towards the balcony doors.
“Will you miss me?” I asked.