“You’re cute when you’re embarrassed, you know that?” I laid my palm against her wing and moved it in slow circles.
A moan escaped her lips as she said, “He leaned down and kissed her.”
Dangerous, dangerous territory. I dipped my head so that my lips hovered right over hers.
She shifted upward, our mouths nearly touching. My entire body burned with desire. With all the things I wanted to do to her right now. Far in the distance, I heard the crash of a glass, a sizzle, a spark, and then Poppy shrieked.
I came back to myself as a shower of popping embers rained over us right as one of the glasses of wine fell and splashed into the fire.
I threw my body over hers, blocking any flames that might catch her wings. She curled up under me, and I stayed like that until the flash of fire had died down.
“Oh!” She pushed out from under me and jumped to her feet. “I’m so sorry. My wing knocked over the glass...”
I shot up, shoving a hand through my hair, a cold dose of reality smothering whatever had been building between us. “It’s okay. I’ll clean it.” I gripped her arms as I searched her body for injuries. “Are you alright? Did you get burned?”
“I’m okay, Loch.”
She gazed up at me, lips parted, a yearning in her gaze that scared me.
Bloody fucking waters, what was I doing?
“It’s late.” I let her go and stepped back. “I’m tired. You can take thebed, of course.” Her gaze slipped to the sheepskin lying on the floor, where I’d be sleeping tonight. There was no way I was leaving her side. Not when her life might be at stake. “Get some rest. I’m sure Leoni and Driscoll will have a lot of information to report to us tomorrow.”
She hesitated, shoulders slumping, then nodded and swept into the bath chamber.
Spirits below, I was an idiot. I couldn’t believe I’d taken things so far. Too far.
I sank down onto the sheepskin, staring at the dying fire for what felt like hours as I replayed that moment between us over and over. How she’d leaned in like she wanted to kiss me, my lips so close to smothering hers.
At some point, Poppy emerged from the bathing chamber and slipped into bed, her breathing growing heavy. My eyelids dropped closed as the fire slowly died to embers and ash, and my foggy brain fought the battle to stay awake, to keep replaying our moment by the fire. I’d never let it go this far again, but at least, I had this memory. This perfect day to tuck away and keep all for myself.
Chapter Twenty-One
POPPY
Istood in the doorway as moonlight slashed into the dark room, watching the prince doze by the dying fire. It faintly illuminated his hair and the sharp angles of his cheekbones, edging that strong square jaw. The embers popped and crackled, an orange and red glow lining the wood.
Guilt webbed through me at how I’d tricked Prince Lochlan. No. Loch. That’s what he’d told me to call him. It should have felt weird calling the prince by such an informal name, but it really didn’t. It felt natural, as if I should’ve been doing it all along. I liked it.
Although, if I ever saw him again he might revoke that privilege. When he finally awoke in the morning, he’d discover what I’d done. That I pretended I just wanted to drink and play games, when really, I was trying to get him drunk enough that he’d pass out so I could sneak away.
I understood why he wanted to keep me here in this room, but he couldn’t trap me. He couldn’t decide my fate. At the library, it had sounded like he didn’t want to go to the shadow court at all. Like he had some different plan in mind. He, Leoni, and Driscoll were keeping somethingfrom me. I couldn’t risk them changing the plan. Not when Gran was out there and needed me.
I lifted the hood of my cloak over my head.
He mumbled. “Yes, Master, yes. Her. Guard her.”
I stiffened.Her. Was he talking about my gran? My heart lurched. Even more reason why I needed to leave here tonight. Gran needed me.
He smacked his lips, groaning and turning over on his side. Those lips I’d almost kissed. Spirits below. Even when drunk out of his mind he was charming.
Either way, he’d once again made it clear he didn’t want me. That was fine. Friends, he’d said. We were friends. At least for today we had been. After this betrayal, he’d probably never want to see me again.
I backed out the door slowly, saying a silent sorry before I turned and fled down the hall and stairs all the way to the ground floor.
I walked toward the glass doors with purpose, shoving them open and striding out into the chilly night air. Stars sprinkled the sky above, the moon big and bright, providing some light in this otherwise dark city.
I didn’t know where I’d go. Maybe to the highlands that surrounded Winded, hiding out while I made a plan to get down to the docks and get passage to Sorrengard.
