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“Of course.” He started to step back, but I leaned forward and kissed him again. He kissed me back more forcefully that time. The feel of his hands on my back where the dress was open broke me. I dropped my arms, letting the weight of the wet dress help it fall.

Tomas paused a moment, breathing rapidly as he looked me over. I was sure I’d burst into flames—the cold from our impromptu swim thoroughly negated by the heat of his gaze on my bare skin. Then he flung his tunic off, and my mind ceased functioning. His bare chest and stomach were so beautiful to behold. This had to be a new development. How could I have gone so long without knowing how devastatingly gorgeous he was? But looking at him was nothing in comparison to being pressed against him.

Skin on skin, we crashed into each other again.

***

“… don’t see that being a problem, though. Unless you make it one. I swear, Ara, if you go sneaking off with Tomas and make it uncomfortable…”

I blink back into the present conversation. “What?”

“At Etherlee. Were you listening at all?” Jo shakes her head and takes a sip of tea.

“In a sense, yes, I was listening. I was thinking about Etherlee.” Which is what she was speaking of, so that qualifies. I nab a sandwich as if roast beef and horseradish sauce can keep my mind on the here and now.

“It would certainly be different this year. Even if all of you survive the trials, you’re bound to be impossible to be around.”

“Aren’t the four of us always impossible to be around?”

“Yes, which is why I dread thinking of it being worse.”

I offer a coy smile. “At least we aren’t boring.”

If it were possible for anyone to be bored by us, Jo would be. She’s always been as good as family—all the Coyles are. Highbluff has always been close with the royal family, both in proximity and affection. The vineyard-lined seaside estate is like a second home to us. With Tomas only a year older than Rylan and Josslyn my age, it was only natural for us to grow up together. Jo is as much my sister as Nina—sometimes more. She’s been right alongside us as our powers developed, so it’s all rather commonplace to her.

“So, what happens next?” she asks with the exasperated tone of someone whose plans are constantly shifting.

“Rylan’s coronation becomes the big announcement, the ball still happens, and in a month, we see what happens when four magical siblings face off.”

“Sounds delightful. Are the Cerauno royals still coming?”

“Yes, the Merricks will be here tomorrow, and possibly through the trials.” I rub my temples.

She lays a hand on my knee. “It would be nice for you to get to know Jamys better.”

“I know, but it’s going to feel real then. Like time is hurrying toward our wedding, and I’m not ready to say goodbye.”

Her eyes twinkle as she cocks her head. “To whom?”

Oh. I didn’t mean to add the goodbye part. “To everyone and everything I know. My life here. Our kingdom.” Because I certainly can’t mean I’m not ready to part ways with Tomas. We had an agreement. We knew our time was limited.

“Not everyone. Thank you very much.”

That draws a smile from me. “You’ll be the best part of life in Ceraun.” I don’t know how I could bear it without her. Even if I know her eyes will always remind me of Tomas.

I have thoroughly sabotaged myself, haven’t I?

Chapter seven

Even in my most conservative dress, I’ll be considerably more exposed than our Cerauno guests, but at least I made the attempt. Nina did no such thing. All that connects the ethereal skirt to the swatches of fabric covering her breasts are intricately braided and knotted strands. It’s stunning, and I must borrow it sometime, but it will be shocking to our esteemed guests.

A footman informs us they are nearly here, and we go out to the front steps to greet our northern neighbors. The sunshine and breeze on my skin remind me of how much of it is showing, but at least I’ve got one shoulder and arm covered. Most of my body is as well, though under the elaborate flourishes, it is rather sheer and form fitting. I’ve never minded such a thing, but waiting to see Jamys, I feel like a wrapped gift. Here is your prize.

It shouldn’t matter. Jamys should find me attractive. It is, I believe, preferable in a marriage. But I’d like to temper his expectations. Our marriage shall be a matter of state. I don’t intend to make any attempt to attract him, and I don’t know how we’ll be around each other now that we’re betrothed. Our trip to Ceraun in the winter was cancelled, so I haven’t seen him since it was first arranged.

Banners appear at the end of the promenade—purple and teal—billowing in the wake of a parade of carriages. Riders lead the one with the royal family in it, and I keep my gaze there, ready to be as convivial a bride-to-be as I can. It isn’t until one of the riders starts up the steps that I realize I know him. Fair-haired and clean cut, if not slightly disheveled from riding, the man I’m to marry arrives.

We’d met plenty of times growing up, and Jamys was always the definition of cordiality. Hence last year, when my mother opened a conversation with, “Jamys is a lovely young man, isn’t he?” I answered honestly that he was. By the time I realized where she was going with that, I didn’t want to try to take it back and was nowhere near prepared to tell her Tomas made it a problem for me.