Of Thorn and Thread (Daughters of Eville #4) - Chanda Hahn Page 0,106
his words. “Why did you make me forget you?”
“I had to, Liam, because of who you are.”
He shook his head in disbelief. “I’m still the same person.”
“No, you’re the heir to the throne of Rya. A prince. A king.”
“What difference does that make?”
“I’m not like my sisters. I can’t live in a palace surrounded by hundreds of people. I will go mad.”
“I can shield you.” He grasped my hands and rubbed his thumb over the back of them.
“You can’t shield me constantly without blocking my power. That’s not fair to you, or me. And I can’t go back there. Because that’s where Maeve . . . I lost my sister.”
“I’m so sorry, Aura.” Liam pulled me into a hug and let me grieve. I’d been bottling it in for so long, that once I let it loose, I wasn’t able to contain my sorrow.
He didn’t shield me, instead letting me cry. When I could cry no more, he wiped away my tears with his fingers.
“I only wish I could take away your pain like you do for everyone else.”
“The pain helps me to remember her,” I whispered.
“Then I promise you will never have to step foot in the palace again. I’ll build you a different palace if needed.”
“Thank you. But I found where I belong.” I smiled and gestured to the forest and the fae that were spying on us from the trees and flowers.
“You belong with me.” Liam’s voice was husky as he leaned forward, pressing his forehead to mine. The feel of him touching my skin made me dizzy.
“I can’t live my life surrounded by stone walls and thousands of people. It will be a mental prison,” I said.
“Then I don’t want that life either.”
I pulled back in surprise. “What do you mean?”
“As an orphan, I searched my entire life to find my purpose. I thought it was to protect the kingdom of Rya, and I spent years training to do just that. But my purpose is to protect you.”
“But you’re the missing heir. You have to take the throne.”
He grinned. “And who’s to say the heir’s been found? He’s been missing for decades, and no one believes there is an heir, anyway. Let the heir stay a mystery.”
“Then who will repair the palace, run the kingdom?”
“I’m the commander of the guard. The running of the palace falls to me, and I’ve already put someone in charge.”
“Who?” I asked.
“Devin.”
“No,” I gasped.
“He’s ready to kill me. Threatens to every single day. He’s champing at the bit to run away, but I told him he will stay there until I say otherwise. Besides, he is Duke Tallywood’s oldest adopted son by only a few weeks. He’s next in line for the throne.”
“Oh, he is really going to hate you.”
Liam tossed his head back and laughed. “Devin has already whined about not hitting the taverns, and how all the ladies must miss his shining personality and jokes.” Liam’s smile faltered. “Actually, Devin is the reason that I’m here.”
I realized my folly. “I didn’t erase Devin’s memories.”
“No, you didn’t. He kept asking about you, and I had no clue who he was talking about. I had enormous gaps in my memory and had to conclude that someone tampered with them.”
“I’m sorry.” I turned away, feeling the shame of what I had done wash over me.
Liam grabbed my elbow. “No, you’re only sorry because you got caught. But I don’t even care because you haunted my dreams.”
“That’s not possible. I erased myself from your dreams.”
“Not your voice. I remembered the sound, how the pitch would get higher when you were nervous. I could hear your laugh. I listened until I recalled the shape of your eyes, then the color came, then your lips. Until I remembered everything. I remembered you.”
“I was a fool—” I began and stepped away.
“Yes, you are. I swore to protect you, but how can I if you erase yourself from my life?” He closed the distance between us and pulled me against his chest.
I gasped in surprise. My hands pressed against his muscles, and I could feel the beating of his heart matching my own frantic pace.
“Run away, erase yourself from my mind a hundred times over—I will always find you. My heart will lead me back to you. You are unforgettable, Aura.”
He brushed his knuckles down the side of my cheek, his eyes following and lingering on my lips.
My lips parted in excitement.
“Can I kiss you, Aura?”
“Yes,” I whispered and leaned up on my tiptoes, closing the distance.