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“But—” my mother starts.

I don’t give her a chance to finish.“This is your opportunity to redeem yourself, Mother.”

Elsie jerks her face my way, staring at me with surprise and shock painted over her features.My father’s expression hardens.My mother is left speechless.

The statement I pose at my mother holds a challenge.“Creating a portal for Elsie to visit her parents is the least you can do, don’t you agree?”

Tarix, who’s been quiet up to now, steps forward.“I don’t think that’s a good?—”

I pin him with a look.“I didn’t ask your opinion.”

He cringes.

Facing my mother again, I continue in a calm but lethal tone, “And I’m not asking.”

My mother purses her lips.She looks at my father.They hold each other’s gazes for a moment, a silent message passing between them.

“Of course, I’ll go with Elsie,” I say, “to ensure her safety.”

Another moment of silence passes during which Elsie moves closer to me.Something touches my fingers, light like a feather on a breeze.I look down.The back of her hand is brushing mine.When I meet her gaze, the softest of smiles transforms her features as she ever-so-gently slips her hand into mine.My heartbeat speeds up in my chest.I wrap my fingers around hers, enjoying the warmth of her small hand in mine while securing her to me and greedily taking what she’s offering.

“Very well,” my mother says after another beat.“If that’s what Elsie wants.”

I’m hardly listening.My pulse is deafening in my ears.Because this is the first time Elsie has come to me like this—on her own, without lust driving her actions.And a whole league of dragons can claw me to pieces if this isn’t the sweetest moment of my entire life.

Chapter16

Elsie

What Aruan has done for me leaves me with a warm, fuzzy feeling.I still can’t believe I’m going to see my parents.It’s as if I’m floating on air when we walk back to his quarters.I’m still battling to process the incredible turn of events.

Once inside his room, I throw my arms around his neck and breathe, “Thank you,” against his chest.

The words are inadequate to express how grateful I am, but with my mind foggy with delirious happiness, I’m incapable of stringing together a sentence.

He kisses the top of my head.“My mother owed you, and you deserve nothing less.”

I wish I could show him how much I appreciate his consideration.

Tilting back my head, I stare at his perfect features.“Why did you change your mind?”

“I didn’t.”His tone is solemn, and his serious gaze carries a warning.“It’s just a visit, Elsie.”

“I know.”

I bite my lip.Is it, though?If I’m there, will I want to come back?And does it even matter?Because Aruan won’t let me.That’s why he’s coming with me.

Still, the concession he made, getting his mother to agree to an act that’s considered forbidden, has somehow tipped the scale in the dynamic of our relationship.He’s shown me that he’s capable of being kind to me even when it doesn’t serve his own agenda.There’s nothing he can gain from taking me home.He’s doing that for no other reason than making me happy.And if my happiness is important to him, he must care about me, even if it’s just a little.Which only makes me fall for him more, and that scares the hell out of me.

He frames my face between his large hands, his sensual lips curving into a soft smile.“What is it?”

“I’m just…” I swallow away the tightness of my throat.“Happy.”Yet I can sense his tension at the prospect of going to a place where he doesn’t want me to return.

“Good.”He gives me a peck on the lips before setting me free.“We’d better get ready.We don’t want to be late.”He tilts his head toward a pale pink gown that’s laid out on the bed.“My mother had a dress delivered.”

I walk over and trail a hand over the soft fabric embroidered with silver thread.“Who makes these beautiful gowns?”

“We have several excellent seamstresses in the village as well as my mother’s personal dressmaker in the palace.”