Page 18

THOUGHT

C as watched her go and hoped he hadn’t frightened her. He hadn’t meant to kiss her, not yet and not without asking, but he’d made the mistake of touching her face and the yearning in her eyes had nearly taken him out at the knees.

She’d had no softness in her life, that was becoming abundantly clear. Emryn had been a healer to the exclusion of all else, right down to the needs of her heart.

And if that was true, he could use that as a way to find her. As a way into her confidence, and perhaps as time went on he could find the door into her heart.

And then they would be happy together.

Cas went to his rooms, looking at the door that connected them to Emryn’s rooms. He kept it locked, had given the key to Shana, and if Emryn ever asked for him, then he would unlock that door.

But for now, it was best that Shana have the key.

“Highness,” a voice echoed out of the dark and Cas flicked a fairy light up at the ceiling so he could figure out who was in his rooms.

“What are you doing, Ruby?” Cas sighed.

“It’s our night.” She pouted slightly in a way he used to find endearing. “You’re better now. I thought you would have been happy to see me.”

“Ruby,” Cas pinched the bridge of his nose. “I sent you a letter, did you read it?”

Ruby shook her head. “I just knew you were calling me.” She rose from his bed, wearing practically nothing and walked in his direction.

“Then you didn’t listen to the palace servants either?”

“You wanted me,” Ruby pouted.

Cas shook his head and took a breath. “Ruby, I got married today.”

“I know that, silly.” She giggled. “The entire palace, and most of the city knows that you wed that healer.”

“That was what was in the letter, Ruby.” He sighed. “I won’t be seeing you any longer, Ruby. I have a wife now.”

“What do you mean, Cas?”

“Exactly what I said.” He picked up her robe from the chair where she’d left it and draped it around her shoulders. “I have a wife now, and won’t be seeing you again. I’ve left you enough money to establish yourself anywhere.”

“You’re leaving me?” Her lower lip trembled but her eyes were angry.

“Yes,” Cas said. “This was never going anywhere, Ruby. Take the money and go.”

He walked her to the door and showed her out, bowing over her hand one last time before she stomped off in a huff.

Cas looked up, right into Emryn’s eyes.

“Good evening, Highness.” She turned quickly and went back into her room. Before he could make the door, he heard the lock click into place.

That was going to take some explaining.

Cas went and laid a hand on her door. “Emryn, come back,” he called, knowing that she could hear him.

The door opened and Emryn crept around the edge of it. “Highness?”

“Is there anything that you need?”

“I had a question, but it will wait for morning.”

Cas reached for her, pulling her into his arms. “You could ask me now?”

“Cas-” she looked up at him, eyes hurting and sad. “Will you- Will you come and sit with me until I fall asleep?”

“Would you like to come and cuddle?” Cas asked quietly, waiting on tenterhooks until she sighed and nodded against his chest.

“I can’t sleep,” she whispered.

“Will you let me help?”

She nodded against his collarbone and he smiled, kissing the top of her head before he swept her up in his arms and walked with her into her rooms.

The large bed was already turned down, pillows fluffed and the room was empty save them.

She was already dressed for bed and it was the work of a few minutes to divest himself of his formal wear and join her in the bed.

He pulled her into his arms and while she didn’t resist, she was stiff and he could feel the worry pumping around in her head.

“Talk to me, Emryn.” He whispered to her. “Tell me how I can help.”

“I don’t-” she took a shaky breath. “I don’t have a home, Cas. It’s gone and I don’t know what to do. The head healer ended my vow to the temples.”

“The head healer can do no such thing.” Cas said, rubbing her back. “That vow is given to the Mother, not to the temples.”

“I can no longer seek asylum in the temples.” Her voice was sad and broken. “Even though I tried to tell him that it was the only way you would live. He wouldn’t listen. He called me power hungry.”

“You are no such thing.” Cas said, still rubbing little circles on her spine. “Emryn, you said it yourself, if you had to, you would have died so I could live. That is not someone hungry for power.”

She turned in his arms, cuddling down onto his chest. “I shouldn’t be here like this.”

“Why?”

“I don’t have a claim on you, Cas. I promised you I wouldn’t-”

“Dearest, you are the only one with a claim on me.” Cas lifted his head to look her in the eyes. “I mean that, Emryn. You are the only one to me now.”

She looked up at him and wiggled. He let her go, thinking that she was trying to pull away, but she wiggled up his chest until her lips were on his.

She was stiff, clearly expecting his rejection. But he had no intention of rejecting her. Instead he wrapped her in his arms and kissed her back. She’d never kissed before, her efforts awkward. But her lips were sweet and soft.

He kissed her slowly, gentling her when she tried to go places she wasn’t ready to go. Eventually she relaxed, body going soft in his arms and he turned his head and went back to cuddling his new wife.

“Is there anything else you need, Emryn?”

“I just don’t want to be alone tonight.”