Page 29

Ledger places his large hand on my shoulder. “You must stop, you’ve been at this for too long. I can feel your power waning.”

My powers continue to delve into the King’s body. I’ve been exploring every inch, every vein, every fucking nerve, and I can’t get a single reaction from him.

It is like channeling my abilities into a black hole. The King’s body is an impenetrable fortress, his nullifying power draining me. Still, I continue until my hands shake and my ears ring from exertion.

“Layla.” Ledger’s voice comes again, and I can’t bring myself to look at him. The thought of burnout seems far more appealing to me than stopping and seeing the utter disappointment on his face.

“Just a few more seconds,” I breathe. I push my power harder into the King’s body, and my arms tremble. I grit my teeth against it. I can do this. I won’t fail. I cannot fail.

My head begins to spin and my knees buckle. Ledger’s arm wraps around me before everything goes, and I fall.

“What were you thinking?” Ledger is above me already, scolding me as I come to. “You’d rather force yourself into burnout than accept the fact this isn’t working?” He looks angry as he helps me sit up. “I refuse to watch you do that again.”

Ledger squats before me and his finger and thumb grip my chin. He turns my head roughly to the side. His other pointer finger brushes my ear and down my jaw. It comes away bloody.

“Gods.” He stands, walking away briefly before turning back and yanking at the collar of his shirt. “I want to make myself clear. I won’t watch you do that again. Not for me, not for my father.” He bends down, picking me up and caging me into his strong arms.

“Put me down right now. I will not be paraded around the castle in your arms like a weak damsel.” I buck.

He sighs, setting me down, but not before I feel his heart hammering wildly against his chest.

I sway as my feet connect with the ground, feeling my depletion.

It takes immense strength and concentration to take a few wobbly steps forward.

Ledger makes an exasperated noise before holding out his arm for me to grab.

“You are the most stubborn woman I have ever met. Will you at least hold on to my arm to walk?”

My eyes flick to his outstretched arm. “No.” I brush past him as I exit the King’s quarters and feel his powers growl over the skin of my back.

“Any success, Your Highness?” Humphrey questions when he sees Ledger.

“Not yet, but we will keep trying.” He grits out the words, and I avert my eyes.

“Of course.” I hear the fret in Humphrey’s voice. A reminder of his fading confidence in me. “Ms. Sutton, may I ask how long you’ve been the healer at Bellehaven? At what age did your abilities come through?” he asks as we pass, and even though the questions are rather direct, I answer anyway.

“Layla, call me Layla, please. I’ve been the healer in Bellehaven since I was a little girl. My abilities started to show when I was around four or five. I was quite young.”

“Mmm.” He makes a noise, and his lip curls up in the corner.

“I’m afraid I must get Layla back. Good night, Humphrey.” Ledger slides his arm around my waist, taking some of my weight as we walk away.

“He doesn’t seem to like me much,” I comment as we walk .

“I wouldn’t worry about it; Humphrey doesn’t like anyone.” Instead of going to my room Ledger pulls me across the hall to another door.

“Where are we going?”

“My room,” he states, swinging open the door and pulling me inside.

“Okay.” I stand awkwardly in the doorway. “And why am I in your room?”

“You extended too much power today. I want to make sure you are okay; you’ll sleep here tonight.” He removes his jacket and shoes.

“I don’t believe I will sleep here. My room is just fine.” I go to open the door, and his hand comes from behind, pushing it closed. “And I’m the stubborn one? Has anyone ever told you you’re a little bossy? Controlling?” I mutter as I feel his chest against my back.

“I am a prince, after all,” he drawls.

“What if I don’t stay here tonight? Will you send me to the dungeons?” I eye his hand, which is still holding the door closed. As I turn around to face him, his other arm comes up, caging me in.

“You’re too pretty for the dungeons, but I could tie you to the bed if that is what you’d rather?”

I swallow thickly as he grins down at me, that annoying dimple popping in the most alluring way. “He jokes. I was beginning to wonder if you had a sense of humor. ”

“Oh, I wasn’t kidding, blondie. I can think of nothing I’d like more.” His power snakes out in a cloudy haze, caressing my wrists and stroking up my arms. I shudder when it reaches my neck, tickling my skin before squeezing firmly, cutting off my air supply.

A bolt of desire strikes through me like lightning, sizzling my core. His head dips until our lips are a breath apart.

“You, writhing underneath me, begging for my touch,” he purrs, and my head swims from lack of air and his closeness.

Even if I could speak, my brain is empty of everything but him.

“I would worship every inch of your body. Ruin you for any man that dares come after me.” He makes it sound so appealing.

I always swore I would never let myself be ruined by a man.

What scares me the most is for him, I think I’d beg for it.

His grip on my throat loosens, and I take a pitiful breath.

“ Show me.” The words almost leave my mouth in some kind of desperate plea. His power clings to my skin for a torturous moment before reeling back into him.

“I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want you, Layla, and your complete disregard for your health and safety infuriates me,” he growls. He tucks a stray piece of hair behind my ear and gives my mouth another leisurely look before backing away.

I realize, then, that I am clinging to the doorframe. I stay that way, stunned, as he removes his tunic, replacing it with a soft cotton shirt .

He walks another identical shirt over to me, holding it out for me to take. I hesitate, uncurling my fingers from where my nails dig into the wood.

“For you to sleep in. Unless you sleep unclothed, in which case, feel free.”

I snatch the shirt from his hands and scurry into his washroom. Once the door is shut, I rest my back against it, taking a few grounding breaths. Gods, I need to get a grip.

I toss off my tight tunic and replace it with Ledger’s oversized shirt. It hangs down to my knees. I keep my pants on, splashing some cold water onto my face.

Ledger opens the door, walks inside, and eyes the side of my face. Grabbing a cloth, he wets it and brings it to my ear, wiping away the crusted blood.

His touch is gentle, his presence familiar and comforting. He tosses the ruddy cloth onto the countertop.

“This seems a little scandalous. I wouldn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea. I really should get back to my room,” I try again.

“The only place you’re going is my bed.”

I follow him out of the bathroom, and he eyes the trousers I purposely left on. “They aren’t coming off, Prince, so don’t bother.”

“As you wish.” He lifts the covers of his bed and motions for me to get in. My eyes are bleary, my ears still dully ringing. I’m drained, completely depleted, and in desperate need of sleep .

I slip into the lush sheets, allowing the fight to leave my body when I feel how comfortable it is. Ledger doesn’t get in on the other side but instead places a tray of food in front of me and drags a chair up to bed, sits, and pulls out a book.

“Where did this come from?” I question as my stomach growls.

“Humphrey sent some food after he saw us. Thought you could use it to help replenish your power.”

“You aren’t sleeping?” I ask. He must have been exhausted; it was well into the night by now.

“No. I told you; you extended a dangerous amount of power today, and I want to make sure you’re okay.”

“Ledger, I’m fine. You need sleep, too.”

“And I’m fine here. Eat, Layla, and then rest.” He looks pointedly at the tray of food and then opens his book when I take a bite.

“How do I know I won’t wake up cuffed to the bed?” My stomach growls, demanding sustenance. I take a few bites of juicy guinea fowl and some kind of green vegetable.

“You’d have to ask nicely for that, and since manners aren’t your strong suit, I believe you’re safe for tonight.” He watches me dribble honey over the melon on the tray and bring it to my mouth.

“You have a point.” I grin.

After eating my fill, I push the tray to the other side of the bed. A yawn escapes me; I’m tired and satiated .

I can feel the food already replenishing some of my power reserves. My eyes grow heavy, and with no more energy left to fight, I sink into the soft pillows. They smell like the forest.

I stare at him as he reads, my eyes heavy. Ledger glances up from the page when he senses my gaze and raises an eyebrow.

“Night, blondie.” Ledger rumbles as I succumb to sleep.

I dream of blood. Crimson thick on my hands, droplets littering my face, smearing across my chest, pooling onto my milk-white thighs.

It soaks into my clothes, making them stick to me like a second skin.

The scent of iron is so strong in the air I choke.

It flows freely like a scarlet fountain vibrating and chanting to me with every heartbeat.

I startle awake late the next afternoon, my skin damp and my heart pounding. I push up, wincing at the bright sun, and notice I am alone.

My fingers caress the soft sheets. The bed is still perfectly made on the other side. I slip out of the down comforter and replace the covers.

I see a dried, pink lily sitting on his nightstand. It looks so much like the one I plucked after my encounter with the Maladra.

I should leave but glance around his room, appeasing my curiosity. I am in Ledger’s room alone and my desire to explore the intricate parts of him that live here is undeniable. I amble over to his desk .

Atop it lies an intricate box and some letters in beautiful handwriting. I run my fingers over the velvet box and then brush the stack, each one signed, ‘Love you dearly, your mother.’ I catch a few words, ‘Give it to someone deserving of your heart,’ before it feels like too much of an invasion.

I meander to his closet. My nose brushes the collar of a wrinkle-free shirt, and I inhale deeply. The familiar smell of cedar and leather floods my senses. A smell that has become one of my favorites.

The thought of getting caught spurs me to leave, but I pause when I see Ledger’s bloodied pants from a few nights prior when I had run into him in the library.

They sit rumpled in the corner of his closet and I can’t help myself when I walk over to them and place my hand in the pocket.

My heart leaps when I feel the tattered paper still crinkled in his pocket. I debate leaving it, but my curiosity wins, and I pull it out. My hands quiver as I smooth the wrinkled parchment realizing it isn’t just a random paper, but a torn page of a book.

I tense as I read, and what I see makes me wish I hadn’t been so nosy. In the middle of the page written in bold lettering are the words. “Bring her back before we make you regret it.”

I suck a sharp intake of air, fear flooding my veins. It is a stark reminder that my presence here is putting everyone in danger. The King of Bellehaven is a looming threat, and I know all too well he always delivers.

With Ledger’s father’s worsening condition and this new sobering warning, I know I have to find an answer fast. It’s a crippling realization that no matter how much I may want to stay, I can’t.

If anything happens to the people of Westray, specifically the four people I have grown markedly attached to, I will never forgive myself.