Each word that left my mouth was harsher than the one before. He rolled his eyes at my dramatics. Seeming to be
unbothered by me slapping him, he leaned his arms on the balcony in front of him. I stared at his profile, growing angrier over
his lack of response.
“I am here now, aren’t I?” he retorted.
“It’s a little too late now,” I snapped back.
“Oh?” He pushes away from the balcony, closing the distance between us. “Are you already married? Did I miss the ‘I
do’s’ and you committing yourself to one man for the rest of your life? Oh,darn!”
Despite his sarcastic tone, he glared down at me. The shadows in his eyes didn’t stop me from wanting to punch him. I
wasn’t used to having these angry outbursts that he clearly drew out of me. The things he made me feel were completely
unknown to me..
“Tell me your name,” I demanded. “Tell me your name and I will say the words.”
He sighed and turned towards the balcony again, refusing to look at me. Wherever his thoughts wandered off to, it was
somewhere unknown to me. I wondered if I was going to hate his confession or if I would relish in it.
I wanted rescuing—heknewthat—except I would not beg for it.
Princesses didn’t beg.
“If I tell you, truthfully, you may turn away from me.”
I pondered for a moment or two, wondering if I would turn away. I was in the most desperate time of need. I wanted out of
this world more than anyone. He was my only option. I could always escape on horseback. Flee the kingdom and this life
forever. Unfortunately, that wasn’t something that would happen any time soon. If he turned out to be someone I hated, I would
just have to learn to live with that.
Better him than Dorian.I thought before admitting quietly, “I’m not afraid.”
“You need never be afraid of me.” His whispered words made my heart pound harder in my chest.
I glanced back into my room, my eyes landing on Kathlyn as she left the room. My brows knit together at the sight of her
treating back. Earlier she refused to leave me. Mother had forbade it.
“I asked her to leave,” he explained quietly, “Simple magic, she will be back shortly.”
I turned my face towards him again. I said I wouldn’t beg, but I can’t stop the words from leaving my lips. “Please, tell
me.”
“Princess,” he said, placing a hand on my cheek.
My eyes tracked as he bit his bottom lip. It was almost as if he was trying to hold back his words. I patiently waited,
holding my breath and eager to know the truth.