Page 86 of The Gilded Fae (Royal Fae of Rose Briar Woods 2)

“I’m not sure this time in Davon has been good for me,” I admit as I open the door to my room and step inside. Alex loiters in the doorway, pretending to be a gentleman.

“Why?”

I rummage through the wardrobe, looking for the shawl I brought when I crossed the border. I haven’t needed it since. “It doesn’t matter.”

Alex smiles, intrigued. “Now you’ve piqued my interest, princess. You’re going to have to tell me.”

I join him in the doorway, noticing a maid dusting down the hall. “I’ll tell you later.”

“I’ll hold you to it.”

Nodding, I smile. “Are we going to go?”

Alex glances at the maid as well, and then he nudges me just inside the room, out of sight. Before I can ask him what he’s doing, his hand finds mine. As he twines our fingers together, he drops an unexpected kiss to my lips.

It’s just a brief peck—short, sweet, and a little disorienting.

“What…” I blink at him. “Why?”

His gray eyes sparkle. “If I hadn’t, I would have been thinking about it all day. Now it’s out of the way.”

“You can’t kiss me more than once a day?”

His smile becomes crooked. “Do you want me to?”

“I don’t know.” I clutch my shawl tighter. “I haven’t decided.”

It’s been over a month since Alex bound my magic and turned my world upside down. It feels new again, terrifying…and certainly just as forbidden as it was then. We’re playing foolish games with our hearts even though we both know how our story will end.

But I can’t seem to stop myself.

We walk back to the carriage, thankfully not running into Frederick’s father on our way out. Soon, we’re driving down the streets and leaving the city altogether. Towering buildings become farmland and rolling hills, with pastures and fields dotting the landscape and a brilliant blue sky stretching above us. The open-air carriage makes it easy to see it all.

I breathe in the smell of the grass and earth, enjoying even the clack of the grasshoppers as they leap off the road.

“How long does it take to reach the sea?” I ask.

“Only a few hours.”

“That long?” I exclaim.

Alex looks relaxed as he holds the reins. “Is it so bad sitting next to me, princess?”

“No.” I study the road. “I like it too much.”

“Too much?”

I gather my courage and turn to him. “What are we doing, Alex?”

“We’re going to spend the day sailing.” He grins. “Didn’t we already make the plans?”

“You know what I mean.” I study him, wishing he’d look at me and yet grateful he’s still watching the road. “I’ll have to go home eventually.”

He frowns a little. “I know that.”

“Then what—”

“Let’s just enjoy the day.” He finally looks over, his eyes soft but troubled. “Can’t we do that? Make the most of the time we’ve been given?”