Page 37

Then his lips were on mine, hot and insistent.

It wasn’t a gentle kiss—it was hungry, demanding, stealing the very breath from my lungs.

His tongue swept across my lower lip, seeking entry, and I granted it without hesitation.

In the back of my mind I was still aware of Lady Minerva and Laurel quietly leaving the cave, but I didn’t care.

My hands found their way to his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart beneath my palms.

I melted into him, my fingers flexed against his skin, anchoring me to him. Heat pooled low in my belly as he kissed me like he was memorizing the taste of me, like he was branding himself into my very soul.

When we finally broke apart, we were both breathing hard. I blinked up at him, dazed and more than a little breathless. Anderic’s eyes were serious, almost fierce, as they held mine.

“Be careful,” he murmured, his voice rough around the edges. “And if you don’t come see me again soon…” His thumb brushed across my swollen lips. “I’ll come looking for you.”

A shiver raced down my spine at his words. It was both a promise and a threat, delivered in that dangerously soft tone that made heat pool in my belly. For a hot, reckless moment, I considered hiding just to see if he’d make good on that promise.

But reality intruded, and I reluctantly stepped back.

I tried to lighten the mood, my voice a bit shaky as I gestured to the leather cloak still wrapped around me. “Highness, don’t mind me borrowing this. It’s quite chilly out there.”

The joke fell flat. Anderic’s eyes darkened, his gaze so intense it made my breath catch. “Only you can take whatever you want, Princess,” he said, his voice low and husky. “Always.”

My heart began to race, hammering against my ribs like it was trying to escape. The weight of his words, the promise in them, sent a shiver down my spine that had nothing to do with the morning chill.

I swallowed hard, suddenly very aware of how close we still were, of the heat radiating from his bare skin. “I… I should go,” I managed, though my feet seemed reluctant to move.

Anderic nodded; his face was once again an unreadable mask, but his eyes still smoldered with an intensity that made my knees weak. His expression became perfectly neutral, every trace of the man who’d just kissed me senseless hidden behind princely composure.

I blinked, momentarily disoriented by the sudden shift. One moment he’d been all heat and intensity; the next he was the golden prince of Aetheria once more.

“Until later, Lady Ilyana,” he said formally, inclining his head in a perfectly proper bow.

Right. Back to reality.

“Until later, Your Highness,” I managed, somehow finding my voice despite the lingering tremor in my hands.

With one last glance at Anderic, I walked out of the cave, my heart still racing from our encounter. To my surprise, Lady Minerva was waiting outside, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

“Lady Minerva, I… thank you for your discretion in this matter,” I managed, feeling heat creep up my cheeks.

She waved a hand dismissively. “Oh dear, what’s life without a little excitement?” Her smile was knowing, almost conspiratorial. “Now go, before your brother arrives and this turns into a family reunion.”

I nodded, grateful for her understanding. I hurried out of the cave, Laurel hot on my heels. The sound of hoofbeats in the distance spurred us on. We had minutes, at most, before Sebastian arrived.

I sank into the steaming bathwater with a contented sigh, feeling the tension slowly melt from my muscles. After the chaos of the past day—the ball, the dungeon escape, the storm, and that intense night with Anderic in the cave—this moment of quiet luxury was exactly what I needed.

I had also sent a letter to Sebastian and my parents to let them know I was safe and back at my apartment. They would probably come knocking tomorrow, but that’s a problem for future Ilyana.

Laurel bustled about the kitchen, preparing a light meal as I soaked. The familiar sounds of her movements were oddly comforting, a reminder that some things remained unchanged despite the tumultuous events of the past hours.

As I relaxed in the warm water, my mind drifted back to the cave.

The memory of Anderic’s hands on my body, his lips trailing fire across my skin, sent a shiver through me that had nothing to do with the temperature of the bath.

Almost unconsciously, my own hand slid lower, tracing the path his fingers had taken.

I closed my eyes, recalling the intensity in his gaze as he’d touched me, the way his voice had roughened with desire.

My fingers circled slowly, teasingly, mimicking his movements.

Heat pooled low in my belly, a delicious tension building as I remembered the feeling of his body pressed against mine, the taste of his kiss…

“My lady?” Laurel’s voice shattered the moment, jerking me back to reality. I snatched my hand away, feeling heat rush to my cheeks that had nothing to do with the bathwater.

“Yes, Laurel?” I managed, trying to keep my voice steady.

“A letter just arrived for you,” she said, approaching with a sealed envelope. “It bears the royal seal.”

My heart skipped a beat. I quickly dried my hands on a nearby towel and took the letter, breaking the seal with trembling fingers.

Lya,

Circumstances have changed. I must leave for the northern mines tonight instead of in two days. If you wish to see me before I depart, come to the palace immediately. However, I understand if you’re too exhausted from yesterday’s events. In that case, I’ll see you upon my return.

I’ll miss you.

-A

I stared at the words, my mind racing. Tonight? He was leaving tonight? The thought of Anderic heading to that hellish place so soon sent a chill through me that even the hot bathwater couldn’t dispel.

I set the letter aside, the relaxation from my bath evaporating like steam. A chill settled in my bones that had nothing to do with the cooling water. With a sigh, I hauled myself out of the tub, wrapping a soft towel around my body.

As I dried off and dressed, my mind raced with possibilities and worries. Anderic leaving for the northern mines tonight? It was too soon. I wasn’t ready. I didn’t even decide what I’d do. There was still so much I needed to do, so much I needed to tell him.

Laurel bustled about, helping me into my gown and arranging my hair. I barely noticed her ministrations, lost in thought.

We ate our meal in silence, the weight of my concerns hanging heavy in the air. Finally, Laurel broke the quiet.

“What’s troubling you now? Is it about Prince Anderic?”

I blinked, focusing on her concerned face. “Not exactly,” I hedged.

Laurel tilted her head, a small smile playing on her lips. “Have you finally decided to be with him, then?”

I paused, considering her words. “Well, yes. Everything seems to be heading in that direction.” Though he didn’t explicitly ask me.

“That’s wonderful news!” Laurel exclaimed, but her enthusiasm dimmed as she noticed my lack of excitement. “Isn’t it?”

I bit my lip, unsure how to proceed. Then an idea struck me. “Laurel, I recently read a novel with an… unusual plot. I’d like your opinion on it.”

“Oh? That… took a turn.” She leaned forward, intrigued.

“Yes. You see, the protagonist dies and is reborn in her past. She has knowledge of her previous life and wants to change things to prevent tragedy. But she’s not sure if she should tell the prin—her love interest—about her past life.

Especially since she needs to tell him everything to help him.

” I paused, watching Laurel’s reaction. “What do you think she should do?”

“A prince here too?” Laurel’s brow furrowed slightly, a hint of suspicion in her eyes. But she played along. “That sounds like an awful novel. No wonder I’ve never heard of it. I’m surprised it was published at all.”

I waved my hand impatiently. “That’s not the point. Focus on the question here.”

“Why?” Laurel asked, her eyes narrowing. “Doesn’t the book answer the question?”

“No, it’ll be revealed in the next book,” I lied smoothly. “Just tell me what you think.”

Laurel took a big bite of bread, chewing thoughtfully. “Well,” she said after swallowing, “a relationship should always be built on trust.” She paused, then continued, “But in this case, he’ll probably think she’s crazy if she did say that.”

“Exactly!” I exclaimed, feeling a surge of validation. “That’s why the protagonist shouldn’t say anything. But it might endanger the prince’s life and—” I broke off, slamming my face into my hands in frustration.

Laurel’s voice was gentle when she spoke again. “But I think she should tell him. If he loves her enough, he’ll accept her craziness too. At worst, she might end up with a personal doctor accompanying her everywhere.” She giggled at her own joke.

I looked up from my hands, feeling utterly deflated. “You’re no help at all, Laurel,” I said dejectedly, digging into my food again.

Laurel’s giggles intensified. “Come on, it was funny!”

I couldn’t help but crack a small smile at her infectious laughter. But inside, my thoughts were still in turmoil. Tell Anderic the truth and risk him thinking I was insane? Or keep my secrets and potentially put him in danger?

As I pushed my food around my plate, I realized with a sinking feeling that I was running out of time to make a decision. Anderic was leaving tonight, and I had to choose—truth or lies, trust or protection.

The weight of my past life, of all I had experienced and lost, pressed down on me. How could I possibly explain it all? And yet, how could I let him walk into danger without knowing the full story?

I set down my fork, my appetite gone.