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“Our cover story says you’re a half-fae raised in Valterra. Uncontrolled magic fits the narrative.”

“But it’ll draw attention to us. Tome.”

He nodded slowly, holding my gaze as he spoke. “You might not be able to see me, but I will be watching from the shadows, always at your side. If it becomes dangerous, if you need to flee, I will run at your side. We can always escape together.”

My heart fluttered. “I like that.”

Zayne smiled. Teyr, I loved seeing him happy. For a moment, the reality of our situation faded away, and I could pretend we were just a normal couple.

I liked Zayne, I really,reallydid.

My cheeks flushed as my face neared his. He tugged at my waist, pulling me the rest of the way, and I surged to my toes, claiming his lips so fast the kiss could bruise.

Time stilled, pinning us in place. If only we could linger here forever, caught in this moment where nothing mattered but our affection. I wanted to forget everything but Zayne.

He tasted as good as he smelled, cedar and amber and rain. And still, I needed more. I wrapped my hands around his neck, pressing my body against his. Shivers ran down my spine, and I teased his lip with my teeth as I drove our kiss deeper. He responded with equal hunger, thrusting his tongue past my lips.

We grew desperate, his hands drifting up my shirt and my fingers finding his waistband. Need ignited between my thighs, erupting quick as a flame. I reveled in the way his bulge pressed against my stomach.

I understood where this was headed.

The world spun around me, and I searched for leverage. Arousal was its own flavor of overwhelming, and this tether that burned in my chest… It made me want to claim him, to make Zayne mine, mind, body, and soul.

Except…

I couldn’t do that. Not to him.

I broke the kiss, panting for breath. “I’m not ready.”

Zayne took half a step back, still holding me at arm’s length like I could collapse. “If you need to take it slow, that’s fine. I didn’t mean to pressure… We’re both virgins.”

“It’s not that,” I whispered, turning around and finding the bed so I could sit on it.

He sat beside me, giving a hand width of space between us. His clenching fist and the hard bulge of his pants reminded me of his self-control. It made me want him more.

“It’s the tether, isn’t it?” he asked.

I looked away, my shoulders hunching.

“Ayla.” He said my name like it left a sweet taste upon his lips. “What I feel for you, it’s more than this bond.”

“How can you know that?”

“Because I knew you were precious from the moment we met. When you sat beside me, pretending to be someone you weren’t, I knew you had the power to ruin me. And seeing you again the next day? I was terrified when the shades pursued you, afraid you’d be hurt in my schemes. I always wanted the best for you, long before we were bound.”

He made it sound so simple. Only, I was broken in love, betrayed by my own sister. I didn’t trust myself to judge who truly cared for me.

But I did know I cared for him.

I reached for his hand. “I thought you were a pompous princeling when we met. You still are. But I don’t mind. Not really.”

He laughed, the sound a gem to my ears.

Still, I couldn’t admit the tether was there. Not to him. It meant accepting we were… inevitable.

We’d known each other for a month. After everything, I wasn’t even sure who I was anymore. But he’d seen me at my lowest and still cared for me. Nobody else had ever done that.

Even now, he seemed to understand. He kissed me on my brow. “I’ll go shower and give you some space.”