Page 6

I manage to pull myself away and drag in a ragged breath. “Stop, we need to stop.” I barely get the words out and have to fist my hands at my sides to keep from reaching for him as he steps back .

He notices my reaction and smothers the grin from his face. “If you need time, I can give you time, but I know I want this.”

I touch his stomach and let my head fall onto his chest. I breathe him in. He smells clean and familiar. “Time would be good,” I murmur, and he nods, rubbing his hands down my back before putting much-needed space between us.

“I’ll be in my room if you want to finish what we started.” I can hear his smirk as he walks to the door.

“I fear you severely overestimate the effect you have on women.”

He chuckles as he leaves.

I don’t know what to think about what just happened. I’d always been attracted to Maddox, but we’d been strictly off-limits to each other.

He is my best friend, and I’m terrified to mess up what we’ve built over all these years. Kissing him is easy, natural, and I can’t deny the pining I’d felt for him during it.

I take a few deep breaths to quell the desire still stirring in my belly before making my way back to the table. Tearing at an uneaten baguette, I pull my knees to my chest.

The balcony door swings open, drawing my attention. The wind whips around the room, sending a chill over my skin. I drop the bread and swallow.

My brows furrow as I stand, taking a few slow steps towards the creaking door. “Hello?” I call softly, craning my neck and peering out into the dark .

A soft breeze blows loose tendrils of hair around my face and a shiver skitters up my spine. It’s faint, but I swear I sense a pulse of power. The hair of my arms stands on end, and my heartbeat ratchets up a few paces.

My eyes bulge as gray smoke drifts into the room.

I spring back as it trails through the air towards me.

It reaches my ankle, and I suck in a startled breath as it caresses up my calf, around my middle, and over my neck.

A shudder rolls through my body. It feels cool and euphoric, and my own magic awakens in response as if curious.

I nearly yelp as the emerald-eyed man from earlier steps through the doors. My eyes dart around the room looking for a weapon as I jolt back.

“Don’t scream. I’m not here to hurt you.” He holds up his hands in surrender, and his power recedes into him.

“What do you want?” I take a step back, my eyes flicking to the door. I know Hecktor is standing at attention on the other side.

“I want you.”

I raise an eyebrow at him.

“Your power to be more specific.” When I don’t speak, he continues, “Someone I care for is very ill and doesn’t have much time left. I have tried everything to no avail and am out of options. I saw what you did today, what you are capable of.”

“Is the person you speak of in Bellehaven?” He shakes his head no, and I let out a disbelieving huff of air. “So you are proposing I leave and travel to Westray? King Sandor would never allow it.”

“I am well aware of the fact your King does not like to share. That is why I do not ask him, but you. I can pay you handsomely.”

“I am sorry about your circumstances, but I can’t leave. The punishment would be too great, and the risk is one I can’t take.” My mother’s face flashes in my mind.

“You could have a better life in Westray. Serve a King that isn’t a selfish tyrant.” He spits the last part, a scowl on his lips. I’ve dreamed of a life away from Bellehaven since the moment I was brought into this God’s forsaken castle.

I distract myself with books and ease my guilt by sneaking out to heal the powerless. I am not foolish enough to believe I can exist away from here as long as my mother is alive. Besides Maddox, she is the one thing I have left, and my father would have wanted me to keep her safe.

“You need to leave before I alert the guards outside my door of your presence,” I threaten.

“Name your price.”

“I cannot be bought. I can’t help you.”

“Ple—”

“LEAVE,” I cut him off, my mind already made up.

His eyes harden and the muscle in his jaw ticks. His magic pulses harshly around him and my stomach flips. I hold my breath, bracing for his next move .

“You deny me so easily. Without thought of what will happen as a result.”

“I do not have a choice.” I plead with him to understand.

“One always has a choice.” His eyes are hard, his presence even more intimidating as I take another nervous step back.

He clocks the movement and after several seconds of silence, when he realizes I will not be swayed, he finally speaks in a clipped tone behind gritted teeth, “As you wish.” He backs out of the room, the balcony doors slamming shut, causing me to flinch.

“Everything okay?” Hecktor cracks the door.

“Yes, the wind just caught the doors. I think I’m going to call it a night.” He does a sweep of the room, and I hide my hands behind my back so he doesn’t see them shaking.

“Okay, I will be here at eight tomorrow to escort you to the infirmary. Be ready.” He shuts the door.

I wipe sweaty palms against my thighs and pace around the room attempting to calm my thrashing heart. Unease eats at me, filling the pockets of my mind and unsettling my stomach.

I stagger to the bathroom, lathering my hands in soap. I scrub rigorously, watching numbly as the bubbles swirl down the drain. The water might as well be tinged red. All I can think is I’ve just condemned someone to their death.