uncle and the Ring of Shadows and all of the other terrifying beasts in this world.”
I blinked up at him, my lashes heavy with droplets of water. His face looked so earnest and I knew his heart; I could feel it in the pulsing around me, in the depth of his tone and flashing of his eyes. He would protect me. He would do anything to keep me safe. But that wasn’t my destiny.
I reached for Taelon and spread my hand along the harsh line of his jaw. “You ask me these things knowing I must return. You, of all people, know I cannot stay safely hidden while the realm burns.”
He leaned into my hand. “Somehow when you’re around, I forget about everything else. The rest of the realm’s problems seem to disappear until there’s only you, shining so brightly.”
I smiled. I couldn’t help it. I wasn’t sure if Taelon had intended to make me fall for him so completely, but he had.
“But you agree with me. We must see to the realm. We must right all of these wrongs.”
He nodded, letting my hand scrape along his short scruff. His eyes opened and I sucked in a sharp breath at the full intensity of those sapphire eyes. “When will you leave?”
“Tomorrow if I can.”
His jaw flexed but he did not argue. “I shall ride with you then. And my guard. The road to Elysia is not an easy one. And more, you’ll need my word to see your uncle. The crown will not be enough.”
“Alright,” I consented. “And you’ll be ready tomorrow morning?”
“Whenever you need me, Tessa, I will be ready.”
My spirit swelled. “Thank you, Taelon. Thank you for all that you have done for me.”
One side of his mouth kicked up in a cocky half smile. “Does this mean I’m forgiven for all my deceit?”
I laughed and jumped from his arms. “Absolutely not!” I declared. “I shall never forgive you for that! You shall pay penance for the rest of your life, Rebel King.”
He followed me to the horse. “Then so be it! I will gladly pay penance to the Queen of the Realm if only to have a reason to spend time in her presence for as many days as she’ll let me.”
I turned around and pressed a hand to his chest to keep him from coming any closer. “Your talk is as sweet as honey, Arrick the Rebel. And yet, I’m afraid that only I can see the ways in which you move those around you like pawns on a chessboard. You are truly a master of your craft.”
His grin widened. “And what craft is that?”
My eyes narrowed. “Duplicity.”
His hand landed on his chest, resting over mine. “And what reason would I have for a duplicitous nature?”
“I suppose you could throw around your authority. But I think you find it much easier to get what you want when people follow you willingly.”
His chuckle was low and dark. “Maybe,” he relented. “But I also find it equally as satisfying to take what I want.”
I took a step back, feeling the threat whisper over my skin. But it was too late. I had fallen right into his trap and I hadn’t even noticed the set up.
His hands reached for my waist and dragged me to him where his mouth met mine in a culmination of passion. I sighed into him feeling as though I had been waiting my entire life for this kiss. Feeling as though every minute we were apart and then together had drawn us to this one moment.
He kissed me and everything I thought I knew about my life and the world and what was in it was tipped upside down and utterly rearranged.
Taelon’s mouth moved against mine and I could not help but lean into him and learn everything he offered to teach. His lips were soft against mine and I reveled in them until his tongue swept over my bottom lip.
I gasped at the sensation, and he invaded my mouth, taking our kiss to a new, thrilling precipice. I did not know it was possible to be so hungry for someone else.
Greedy for them.
He kissed me under the starlight so thoroughly I could not stand up on my own. My hands clutched his tunic until he pressed me tightly to him and my arms were forced around his neck, clinging to him willingly.
He kissed me until I was sure that this was the moment I would compare all others to.
And when at last he