Page 20 of Fearless

“It could be worse,” he murmurs. “We could have stayed in the queen’s quarters. Alone and in the dead of night.”

My cheeks flush. “On second thought, I much prefer the night air.”

He chuckles beside my ear, forcing me to suppress a shiver. My fingers find one of the hands he’s sprawled across my stomach, feeling the rough skin splattered with scars. It’s only when I brush over his knuckles that I still in his hold.

“That’s why you heard me scream.” I turn my face toward him, voice soft. “You were up training.”

His skin is scabbed over, knuckles hardened with the remnants ofblood. The sad smile he wears shines through his voice. “Nothing gets past you, Little Psychic. I was heading to my room after being out in the training yard most of the night. Couldn’t sleep,” he adds, the clarification an afterthought. “That’s when I heard you.”

I nod slowly, gathering my courage. “I was dreaming about her.”

I feel his chest halt beneath me. He knows exactly who it is I’m referring to. “I’m guessing it wasn’t a pleasant dream.”

“No.” I almost laugh. “It started that way, which somehow made it all so much worse.”

His voice is rough. “I’m sorry you’re forced to relive that moment every time you shut your eyes.”

“Not every time.” I shift, slipping off his chest to sit beside him. “Not when I’m with you.”

He props himself up on an elbow, tugging at my tank until I’m leaning down toward him. “Then I’ll never leave your side.”

I give him a look. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

“It’s not promises I care to keep—it’s you.”

His words never fail to have my stomach flipping, heart fluttering, lips falling silent. So, I flick the tip of his nose with a soft “You’re quite the poet, Prince.”

Moonlight pools in the dimple that accompanies his grin. “And you the muse, darling.”

My silk-clad knees sink into the dew-kissed grass, growing damper by the second. “Is this going to be our lives?” I whisper suddenly, avoiding his gaze. “Forever pretending, sneaking away from reality to steal a few moments together?”

“You know,” he sighs, “I pictured a different forever for us. One that took place far from here. But if this is all we get…” He pauses, eyes as silver as the moonbeams pouring down on us. “Then we’ll makethe most of it. I will be your Enforcer. Your rival. Your secret waiting beneath the willow.”

Mention of the tree cocooning us has my gaze wandering down to its large base and the lapping grass there.

His sister is buried beneath this patch of earth, her body cradled by twining roots.

My voice is oddly hushed. “Is it okay that I’m here? Under her willow?”

“I’m sure Ava won’t mind the company.” His smile is bright against the darkness, unexpected within this moment. “Besides, this isn’t your first time here. I did nearly undress you beneath these very branches during the second ball.”

Memory of the seizing panic that night comes flooding back, along with the unforgettable feel of his fingers undoing the laces of my dress. “Oh, yes, I remember.”

“Fondly, I hope.”

I scoff lightly before leaning closer. “I also recall the game we played under this tree. And how I beat you at it.” He’s shaking his head at me. “Nowthatis a fond memory.”

“First,” he starts coolly, “the game was a thumb war. Second, you’re full of shit, Silver Savior.”

My mouth opens, appalled by his accusation. But it’s a gasping giggle that escapes when he sits up suddenly to tug me closer by the waist. I’m pulled onto his lap within the next thundering beat of my heart. He wraps my legs behind his back, leaving me fully perched atop his crossed ones.

“Fine.” I smile. “Rematch.”

“Oh, my pretty Pae.” His words are a murmur against my lips. “For once, it is I who will be your undoing.”

And in this moment, I would beg him to be just that. Would giveanything to live out the rest of my days under this willow and in his arms.

So, I memorize every shadow of his face, every shade of this vivid fantasy before me.

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