lips.
“Yes?” she whispered back.
“I adore you. I am so glad you’re here with me.” If he’d still had a kingdom, he would have given it to her.
He felt her smile. “I’m glad I’m here with you, too.”
He pulled her tighter, kissed her harder, held her closer, and it still wasn’t enough. When he ended the kiss, he kept her in his arms, his forehead pressed to hers. Not even the wine they’d left behind in the dining room was this intoxicating. “I already cannot stand the thought of you leaving me.”
She stayed quiet for a moment. “I’ll have to go back. I have no choice.”
He nodded. “I know. Your father.” Her loyalty was part of what made her so good. He pulled back so he could see her face. “I wouldn’t want you to leave him. That’s why I think you should bring him here. Stay with me. Both of you. You could continue your schooling. And I promise he will get the best care possible.”
Her eyes widened, but he wasn’t sure what that meant. Had he overwhelmed her? Of course he had. Another forced smile bent his mouth. “Don’t answer now. I know you need to think it over and talk to him about it. I understand. But will you at least consider it?”
She nodded. “I will. I’ll write him another letter first thing tomorrow.”
That was all he could ask. “Thank you.” He took her hand again. “Let’s walk and not worry about conversation for a while.”
“Okay.”
He squeezed her hand. “We can have our dessert when we get back.”
That made her smile. “Those tarts did sound nice.” She held up her finger. “But first…” Still holding his hand, she reached down with the other to slip off her shoes. She set them upright on the patio. “These aren’t meant for forest walks.”
“Will you be all right in bare feet?”
She grinned a little brighter. “I’m a goblin, aren’t I?”
He laughed. “Indeed you are. And so am I.” He let go of her hand and pulled off his shoes and socks. He shucked his jacket and tossed it on a nearby chair, then rolled up his sleeves. “There. Much better.”
She smirked at him, like she was trying not to laugh.
“What? You don’t agree?”
She looked him over from his feet up. “No, I agree. You look a little less royal now. I like it. I liked the way you looked before, too, but I like this just as well. Maybe more.”
“Good. Because this feels a lot more like me.” He grabbed her and pulled her in for another kiss. “I like the way you look, too. Barefoot in a ball gown. Makes you seem like some kind of wild, untamable creature who’s just escaped the clutches of a terrible monster.”
With a laugh, she twisted out of his grasp and danced a few steps into the garden. “Maybe I have. Maybe that terrible monster ought to see if he can keep up with me.”
He frowned in mock protest. “I’m the monster?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Are you?”
With another laugh, she hiked up her skirts and took off under the pavilion.
He shook his head and let out a whoop of sudden excitement as he took off after her. “I’m not only going to keep up with you, I’m going to catch you,” he called. And then he was going to kiss her again. A lot.
“Maybe.” She called back with a light, teasing tone that only spurred him on. “But maybe not.”
The subtle glowing sprite moss in the pavilion caught the sequins on her dress and made them sparkle like distant fireflies as she ran past the fountain.
He gave chase, keeping pace with her until she darted into the woods. More sprite moss lit the way, along with a variety of luminescent mushrooms on the ground. He picked up speed. He had no choice. If she went too far, he’d be powerless to continue. His barriers might have moved, but they were still there.
It was nice to run, to feel the earth under his feet and the breeze against his face. He felt like a kid again, joyful and carefree. There was a lightness in him that hadn’t existed in years. A lightness that was all Theo’s doing. She pushed the darkness back and lifted his mood.
He hoped she took his offer seriously, but there’d be plenty of time to discuss that tomorrow. He was nearly on her heels now. He reached out, and the tips of his fingers just touched the fabric of her