Page 33

His fingers tightened around mine. “What did you just say?”

Oh, hell.

“Nothing. Let’s find this cave of yours. I’m freezing.” And I actually was freezing. Thankfully, Anderic didn’t ask anything further.

We stumbled along the muddy shore, my ruined slippers offering no protection against the sharp rocks and gnarled roots.

Anderic kept a tight grip on my hand, steadying me whenever I slipped.

Each flash of lightning revealed a little more of the path ahead, guiding us in fits and starts through the darkness.

After what felt like an eternity of mud, rain, and misery, the dark mouth of a cave appeared before us. We ducked inside, grateful for even this small reprieve from the relentless downpour.

The cave wasn’t large, but it was dry. Its ceiling rose just high enough for Anderic to stand without stooping, and it extended perhaps fifteen feet into the hillside. The ground was surprisingly smooth—worn so by years of lake water, if I had to guess.

“Wait here,” Anderic instructed, releasing my hand. He disappeared back into the rain, returning moments later with an armful of relatively dry wood from beneath an overhang. “These should still catch.”

I watched, teeth still chattering, as he arranged the wood and worked to start a fire. His hands moved with practiced efficiency, striking flint against steel until sparks caught the driest kindling. A small flame bloomed, then grew as he carefully fed it larger pieces.

As the fire’s glow filled the cave, I became painfully aware of my appearance—dress torn and muddy, hair a tangled mess, and blood splattered across my bodice.

Quite the picture of nobility. Mother would be horrified.

The heat of the fire reached me in waves, and I inched closer, holding my trembling hands toward the flames. Anderic’s gaze met mine across the fire, his eyes reflecting the dancing light in a way that made my breath catch in my throat.

“You should take that dress off,” he said, his voice low and rough. “It’s soaked through.”

I inched away from him, my eyes widening. “W-why would I need to take off my dress?” The stutter wasn’t intentional, but the chill had settled deep in my bones, making my teeth chatter uncontrollably.

Anderic’s eyes flickered with amusement. “Because, Princess, if you don’t want to freeze to death, you need to get out of those wet clothes.” He stood up, towering over me in the firelight. “The cold will kill you faster than modesty will save you.”

Well, when he puts it that way…

Not that he gave me a chance to argue—before I could open my mouth to say anything, he was already shedding layers without a hint of hesitation.

With deliberate slowness, he removed his cape first, the sodden fabric making a wet slap as it hit the stone floor.

His fingers moved to the buttons of his coat next, unfastening them one by one.

I should have looked away. I really should have.

But I couldn’t tear my eyes from the hypnotic movement of his hands.

The coat joined the cape, and then his fingers went to work on his shirt.

The thin, wet fabric clung to his chest, outlining every ridge and plane of muscle beneath.

When he finally peeled it away, I had to swallow hard.

Firelight danced across his skin, highlighting the sharp angles of his collarbone, the defined muscles of his chest, and the tapering line of his waist. A few scars marked his golden skin—evidence of battles won or training sessions gone awry.

He bent to remove his boots, the movement causing the muscles in his back to flex and shift. When he straightened, his hands went to the fastening of his trousers, and I felt my breath catch.

Please don’t. Or please do. I’m not entirely sure which I want more.

But he stopped there, leaving his trousers on. I exhaled softly in relief—and yes, a touch of disappointment.

“If you’re done ogling me, Princess, it’s your turn.” His voice cut through my daze, low and amused. “Unless you’d prefer I help you?”

“I’m perfectly capable,” I said, turning my back to him.

I fumbled with the fastenings of my gown, acutely aware of his gaze on me.

The wet fabric clung stubbornly to my skin, requiring me to peel it away inch by inch.

Finally, I stood in nothing but my slip—a thin, once-elegant piece of silk that now clung to my every curve like a second skin.

I turned slowly, and our eyes locked immediately. His gaze traveled down, lingering on the curves now clearly visible through the rain-soaked silk. The slip might as well have been transparent, for all the modesty it provided. But Anderic said nothing, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed.

Thank God for dim lighting. At least the fire’s glow hides my blush.

“I’ll put our clothes on that rock to dry,” I said, clearing my throat and gathering our sodden garments. The fabric of his shirt was still warm from his body as I spread it carefully beside the fire.

When I returned, there was nowhere to sit but beside him, our shoulders nearly touching in the cramped space. The tension in the air was thick enough to slice with my dagger. I stared into the flames, searching for something—anything—to say.

“How did you find that particular tunnel?” Anderic asked suddenly. “Even I didn’t know about it.”

“I found it on one of my walks in the garden,” I answered honestly.

He gave me a sideways glance. “You don’t have to lie, Lya. You can tell me when you’re comfortable.”

“I’m not lying!” I turned to face him fully. “After Noah showed me one of the secret passages, I became curious and started looking for others. You’d be surprised what you can find when you’re actually paying attention.”

“What else did Noah show you?” Anderic’s voice had taken on a strange, tight quality.

I turned my head to look at him incredulously. “Are you seriously jealous of Noah right now?”

Firelight danced across his features, highlighting the sharp angles of his jaw as he clenched it. “I can be jealous if I want,” he said moodily. “You certainly were jealous enough of Lady Isolde earlier tonight. Or did you forget how you kissed me in front of the entire court?”

I groaned and scrubbed my face with my hands.

“Please don’t remind me of that. I won’t be able to show my face anywhere ever again.

” The fire crackled between us, throwing elongated shadows against the rough stone walls.

“Besides, I barely had any relationship with Noah while we were married. We were basically strangers living under the same roof.”

Anderic didn’t respond, but he inched closer, his bare shoulder now pressing against mine. The contact sent a ripple of warmth through me that had nothing to do with the fire. Water dripped somewhere in the back of the cave, the steady plinking sound echoing in the small space.

After a few moments of silence, I asked, “Was it really okay for me to kill Gareth? Didn’t you need more information from him?”

“I had everything I needed,” he replied, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through his chest and into my shoulder.

“In fact, I was meaning to tell you—I found out where the illegal gold is coming from.” His eyes reflected the dancing flames as he looked at me.

“The northern mines, near the border where criminals are banished.”

The words cracked through my calm like the lightning outside.

I froze, my mind stuttering—then flooding with memories so vivid they stole the breath from my lungs.

The biting cold that sank into your bones and never let go.

The villagers’ hatred, sharp and constant.

My mother’s frame growing thinner by the day as we scraped for food.

Sebastian, bloodied and broken after the soldiers beat him in the mines.

And the worst of them all—Commander Maxwell’s blade catching the moonlight a heartbeat before it pierced my chest.

Where I died.

“Lady Ilyana? Are you listening?” No. I’m not.

Anderic’s voice jerked me back to the present. The cave suddenly felt too small, too confining. Sweat beaded along my hairline despite the lingering chill in my bones.

“I’m sorry, what were you saying?” I managed, painfully aware of how brittle my voice sounded.

He studied my face intently, his golden brows drawing together. “Do you know anything about that place?”

“Why would I know anything about that?” The words came out too quickly, too defensively. I pulled away slightly, breaking the contact between our shoulders.

Anderic raised an eyebrow but didn’t press the issue directly.

“Because you seem to have information about a great many things, Princess.” His tone was measured, careful.

“And you did promise to help me with this investigation.” He ran a hand through his damp golden curls, sending droplets of water scattering into the fire, where they hissed and evaporated.

“I’m leaving in two days to go there personally. ”

My heart stumbled in its rhythm. Two days? To the very place where I had suffered and died? Where the memories of a life I was desperately trying to change still haunted me?

The firelight caught in his eyes as he watched me, waiting for my response. Outside, thunder rolled across the sky, a distant reminder of the storm that had trapped us here.

“I’ll let you know if I… if I learn anything before you leave,” I said slowly, the words tasting like ash on my tongue.

Could I let him go alone to that hellish place? The place that had stripped me of everything—my dignity, my family, my life? The mines that broke Sebastian’s body and spirit? The cold, barren hills where my blood had soaked into the frozen ground?