Page 5

I stand in front of my mother’s room trying to talk myself into knocking. I pace, spinning the ring on my finger. It had already been three days since our last visit, and I couldn’t keep putting it off. I was just so tired, utterly drained.

As if making the decision for me, the door swings open. My mother’s chestnut eyes scan me. She looks beautiful, her blonde hair pulled back into a thick braid.

I hold my breath, stilling, as she looks at me. My heart trips over itself as I look for any sign of recognition on her aging face.

“May I help you, dear?” she questions, a crease appearing between her eyebrows. I swallow around the lump of disappointment in my throat, letting out a small whoosh of air .

“Sorry, I believe I have the wrong door.” My ribs are tight as I say the words, scanning her face again.

“Oh, that’s quite alright. Since you are here, have you seen my husband? I was just going out to look for him.” She squints as she studies me. “You have his eyes.”

My breath hitches as I fight to form a response. “No, I’m sorry, I uh- haven’t seen him.” I stumble over my words.

“That’s too bad; I do hope he comes home soon. I miss him,” she says, and my heart clenches.

“I do too,” I whisper.

“What was that, dear?”

“Have a good night.” I force a smile.

“You too.” She steps out the door and shuts it. Brushing past me, her floral scent invades my senses, dragging up old memories. As she walks down the hallway, my shoulders drop. She always ends up in the gardens around sunset. Being outside soothes her in ways I deeply understand.

I stare after her until she disappears around a corner before accepting my defeat and slumping to my room.

Opening the door, I am greeted by Maddox sitting at my table, a glass of wine in hand.

“Welcome home, honey, I hope you’re hungry. May I offer you a glass of wine?” He holds out his hands emphasizing the feast in front of him.

“I don’t know what I am more desperate for, food or a bath.” I groan as I kick off my boots. “And the glass won’t be necessary.” I grab the bottle off the table and take a few gulps of the fruity liquid.

“You need a bath.” He grimaces as he sees the dried blood on my clothing. “Lucky for you, I already have one drawn. I even used your favorite bath salts.”

“Thank the Gods.” I set the bottle down before walking over to the bathroom and discarding my crusty shirt. “Maybe you really are God’s gift to women,” I call over my shoulder to him through the cracked door.

“I knew you’d see the light one day.” I hear the smile in his voice.

I stumble over to the countertop and uncork a tonic Sky had made for when I’d depleted myself. It relieved the more daunting effects. I throw it back and cringe at the vile liquid. It tastes like shit but helps.

I peel off my pants and undergarments and then lower my body into the wet heat. The water instantly eases my aching body and thundering head.

“I’m assuming my father failed to retrieve any damning memories of yours from last night?”

“I gave him as little as I could. Nothing of me leaving the castle walls. How did it go with the people from Westray?” I touch some of the bubbles floating on the surface of the water.

“Fine. The prince of Westray seemed a little too interested in you for my liking, but luckily, they were just passing through. As usual, my father had to flaunt who he commands with the most treasured and valued abilities. Sorry, I know how much you hate when he does that.”

He did this often. He liked to flaunt his power; his every so infinite army of soldiers blessed with abilities.

He had the biggest legion on the continent.

He knew how to scare loyalty into someone and if that didn’t work, he had a way of reading people, seeing their inner most desires and using it to his advantage. He thought of himself as untouchable.

“Maybe if I continue puking every time he brings someone, he will eventually stop,” I say and Maddox laughs from the other room.

“You missed my father getting rip-roaring drunk before they left. He started his whole, ‘May our kingdoms be ever united and may those blessed with sacred power continue to grow in strength and numbers’ speech.” He imitates the king, and I huff a laugh.

“Sad that I missed it.” I scrub at my skin until it is pink and raw and then stand, wrapping a towel around myself. “After the day I’ve had, I’d like to also get rip-roaring drunk,” I swing the bathroom door open.

Maddox’s cocky smile falters as his gaze snags on my bare legs. His eyes linger on the exposed skin of my chest, and his Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows.

I fidget with the corner of the towel, suddenly self-conscious. “What?” I question, and he clears his throat.

“Nothing, get dressed so we can get you something to eat.” He looks away .

I walk to my closet, pulling on some leggings and one of Maddox’s plain shirts. Sometimes, I’d steal one when he left them in my room, finding them comforting and gloriously loose.

“What did your father mean when he asked about that man Archie?”

“He used to reside here when he was a child coming into his powers. From what I remember, he was difficult for my father to manage and was always getting in trouble and punished. I think he ended up working out some kind of trade with Callum so he could be rid of him.”

“If only we could all be that lucky.” I sigh, sagging into the chair next to Maddox.

He seems lost in thought as I pop a grape into my mouth.

I grab some fresh meat and cheese and chew thoughtfully.

I moan as I eat, throwing my head back. When I crack my eyes open, Maddox is staring at me with a strange look on his face.

“What is going on with you Mads? You’re acting strange.” I was used to him being cocky, funny, carefree. I’d rarely seen him shaken up or acting the way he was now.

He abruptly stands, his chair dragging against the wood beneath it. He walks to the middle of the room, pacing back and forth, undoing the top button of his shirt and ripping it away from his neck.

I finish chewing my food and swallow. Standing, I walk cautiously over to him. “Maddox, are you okay?” I touch his shoulder gently and he whirls around to face me .

He leans down so his face is mere inches from mine. My brows crease in confusion as his eyes flicker from my mouth back to my eyes.

I don’t have a chance to register what he’s thinking before he crashes his lips against mine. I’m so stunned my body doesn’t react at first.

My lips freeze against his. He doesn’t stop, and I can sense his frustration as his lips continue coaxing. His arms band around my waist and he walks me back a few steps until my back hits the wall. His lips are soft, pleasant even, and when his hand cups the side of my neck I melt into it.

The hard ridges of his body press against mine, and I want to feel more of him. His lips move over my mine expertly, his tongue meeting mine in strokes that have me fisting his shirt.

It had been so long since I’d been kissed by a man. I can hardly breathe, hardly think, as the desire I’d buried so deeply becomes a prominent ache in my belly.

One hand stays fisted in his shirt while the other tangles in his hair, pulling him closer. His teeth tug lightly at my bottom lip.

He shifts closer, and his hard length brushes my stomach. His lips break from mine, kissing down my neck. I heave a breath as my eyes flutter open.

My lust-addled brain clears for the briefest moment, and I freeze.

My hands find Maddox’s chest and push. He steps back a fraction, his gaze fixated on the ground as his own shoulders heave.

“What in the hell was that?” I try to calm my breathing as my mind reels.

Why did he kiss me? Why did I kiss him back?

And why, for the love of the Gods, did I like it?

“Maddox, look at me.” I take his face in my hands and force his caramel eyes to meet mine.

He sighs and his warm breath fans over my face. “I’ve been under a lot of pressure to wed lately, you know that.”

I nod.

“I’ve been trying, I really have, but you keep popping into my head. It got worse after we almost kissed the other night. I can’t stop thinking about you. I even called Beth Anne your name while we were having sex.”

I drop my hands from his face, my eyes wide.

“She will probably never speak to me again, and I don’t even care!”

I take a step back, trying to form a response. “What every girl wants to hear.” I roll my eyes. “You know this can’t work between us. You’re my best friend, and your father would most definitely not approve!”

“You always say that, but what if it could work, Lay? I take everything I said back, I don’t want you spending time with other men. Spend time with me; give us a shot.” His eyes are hopeful as he closes the distance between us.

“It wouldn’t work.” I smile sadly at him. “You would get your fill of me just like you do every other woman, and then I’d be completely lost. You are one of the only things that make this life bearable, Maddox, and I can’t lose you.”

“You could never lose me, Lay. You felt it, I know you felt it.” He pushes me back gently until my back hits the wall again. He leans down so our mouths are almost torturously touching.

I close my eyes against the desire that stirs in my veins. His hand cups the side of my face and his fingers curl in my hair as he brushes his lips against mine in a devastating kiss.

I push up on my toes, chasing more as his tongue traces the line between my lips. His other hand grips my hip firmly, yanking me against him so I can feel just how much he wants me.

Gods, he is good at this.

My heart pounds as blood surges through me. I want to wrap my legs around him, to tear off all the clothing that separates our skin.

My brain screams at me to stop, but my body demands I continue. He is the one person in this world who means the most to me, and I am playing a dangerous game. A game that, if lost, would cost me dearly.