heading for the stairs that led directly down to the sand.
Needless to say, her grumbling stopped when she saw the lit torches, the table set for two.
I had yet to come down here with her, though I knew she spent quite a bit of time walking along the beach, never getting in the water. She always had a possession with her, and I think that was their way of chatting without the risk of me being present.
Since we spent a majority of our time indoors, I figured this would be a nice change of pace.
“It’s… Wow. This is beautiful.”
The sun was almost below the horizon, the brilliant blue of the sky overshadowed by deeper purples and reds.
I waited while she kicked off the sandals she wore, leaving them on the steps. With her hand in mine, we trekked farther down—about halfway between the house and the water’s edge—where everything had been set up.
No sooner had we taken our seats than Auberon appeared, pouring wine. Corvin came next, delivering a small basket of bread. Yes, I had considered the fact she hadn’t eaten lunch.
To my amusement, Braelyn dug in, snagging a breadstick and breaking it in half. She looked up at me sheepishly as she nibbled on one end.
God, she was beautiful. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, the long strands braided to keep it in place. Her dress was turquoise blue with thin straps on her sun-kissed shoulders and a skirt that brushed the tops of her feet.
She was so beautiful she put the sunset to shame.
Rolphe delivered salads, then Sim took them away when we were finished. Jones and Corvin brought out meals—steak and lobster tails, in keeping with the theme. Taurus stood by, refilling wine as needed, and Ari and Bram cleared the table when we were done. Auberon held off on getting dessert at Braelyn’s request. Evidently, her eyes were bigger than her stomach.
As I’d hoped, Braelyn seemed in no hurry to leave once she’d sated her hunger.
“This is stunning,” she said, staring out at the water and the moonlight bouncing over it. “Why don’t we do this more often?”
“Perhaps we should.”
“Definitely. Please tell me we don’t have to go in yet.”
“Not for a while,” I said, standing and holding out my hand. “Care to go for a stroll?”
She smiled up at me, placing her hand in mine. As we headed away, I snapped my fingers, signaling my possessions to move on to the next part of the evening.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you something,” she said as we ventured farther from the house.
“What’s that?”
“Have you heard anything from Trent?”
I’d been waiting for her to ask me that, surprised it had taken her this long. It’d been two weeks since I’d last spoken to Trent. At the time, he’d told me I had to be patient. And though I continued to check in with Ransom, he’d heard nothing, either.
“I have not.”
She sighed. “Would it matter if we did? I mean, what do I care?” She chuckled. “I’m pretty content just as things are.”
“Are you?”
Her brow furrowed when she looked up at me. “Of course. Did you think otherwise?”
“I was merely hoping,” I admitted.
Although I’d put off one trip to the States because I didn’t want to leave Braelyn, I knew I couldn’t do it indefinitely. I had things that required my presence, and at some point, I’d have to make a decision as to whether or not she would go with me under an assumed name or she would remain here. I just wasn’t ready to be apart from her. Not sure I ever would be.
When we’d gone far enough, I turned us back around, slipping closer to the water so the waves gently lapped at our feet.
“Before coming here, I’d never been to the beach,” she said. “In fact, I’d never left Illinois. I think Ransom always worried our parents would find us if we didn’t keep our heads down at all times.”
“You feel like you missed out on a lot?”
Braelyn tucked her arm in mine, moved closer. “I don’t, actually. I’ve had a good life. Spent more of it looking over my shoulder than I would’ve liked, but considering the alternative…” I felt her eyes on me. “What about you? Do you travel the world a lot?”
“I have, sure.” I squeezed her hand. “And I hope to again. With you.”
“Do you believe in fate?”
I grinned, watching ahead of us as we neared the house again. “Not until you.”
I felt her arm tighten. “Me,