Page 36

I lean in and kiss him. His lips are cold from being outside, which gives the kiss a pleasant kind of tingle I don't expect.

"You should come inside and warm up," I say once we break apart. "There's a fire, and food. Everything we might need for an entire evening without anyone to interrupt us."

He raises an eyebrow. "And precisely what do you intend to do with that time?"

"Anything we want." I step aside to let him come in, helping him with his cape as he does. I hang it on the peg next to the door with mine, and shut the door behind us, locking it and giving us a true sense of privacy. I don't think I've ever been this alone in my entire life before.

Arthur looks around the lodge, his eyes wide. "You did all this?"

"I had help," I respond. "But I wanted us to be able to have some time together, uninterrupted by anyone."

"I'm sorry about yesterday," he says, stepping closer and pulling me back into his arms. "I didn't know that my father would need me."

"It's all right, I understand that your duties are important. Maybe one day, I can help with them."

"You can help in any way you want," he promises. "I would like that."

"I would too." I lean in and kiss him. "Are you hungry? We could eat, or we could..." I trail off, gesturing to the cushions and blankets behind me.

His expression changes instantly. "I'm not hungry."

"Good." I step back, taking his hand and drawing him over to the cosy spot, excited nerves dancing within me.

"I need to talk to you about something first," Arthur says, a serious demeanour crossing over his face.

"What is it?" I ask.

"I got something. A sheath."

I raise an eyebrow. "For your sword?"

"No." He clears his throat. "It's supposed to help stop you getting pregnant. I know we're going to be married in a couple of days, so no one would think twice about it if you did, but I wasn'tsure if that was somethingyouwanted. I figured it was probably better to be prepared than leave it to chance."

"I want children one day," I say. "But not today."

He nods. "Understandable. I feel the same. We need time to settle into our life together before making more."

"Something like that," I say. "Even though our parents would probably be horrified to learn that we're thinking that way."

He laughs. "I don't care what our parents think. We're living our lives for us, not for them."

I reach out and touch his face. "We are. And Veronica gave me some tea that will help stop pregnancy too."

He raises an eyebrow. "I didn't realise you'd asked my sister for help with that too."

"She offered. Apparently, Evie was drinking the tea five years ago without realising."

"Nate?" he guesses.

I nod.

"Everyone thought it at one point or another, but she swears they're nothing more than friends."

"Do you believe it?" I ask curiously.

"I believe they've never done anything, and that they think they're friends," he responds. "But I think they're both in denial about how they feel."

"Ah." That makes sense, especially considering everything I've learned about their relationship since coming here. "But you know, I didn't invite you here to talk about your sisters."