Page 38 of Fearless

I kick the door shut behind me. “Where else would I be?”

“Your own room, maybe?”

“My room doesn’t have you in it.” My lips twitch. “Hence why I’m in yours.”

She shakes her head at me in disbelief. “Insufferable, cocky bastard.”

I wrap an arm around her waist to pull her against me. My fingers flick the tip of her nose, voice softening to a whisper. “And my pretty—” I kiss her gently, feel her mouth melt against mine. “Pretty Pae.”

She tugs at my shirt, pressing her lips against mine. I shove away from the door before pushing her farther into the room. This kiss is greedy and aching. This kiss is made up of every moment I wasn’t able to touch her, every moment I wanted her but willed myself not to.

Her lips are as soft as the skin beneath my roaming hands. I feel a shiver snake down her spine when my fingers curl into her damp hair. “You shouldn’t be here,” she reminds again, barely managing to get the words out.

My response is a whisper against her lips. “I know.”

“Someone could have seen you,” she pants.

“I know.”

Her hands grasp at my hair. “I’m an engaged woman.”

My voice is low. “Oh, I know.” My fingers find that damning ring, slipping it off even as my mouth moves against hers. She makes a sound of protest against my lips that has my heartbeat quickening, but I manage to grab her other wrist from where it’s buried in my hair. Before she can stop me, I’ve pushed the band onto the finger of her right hand. “There. Now it’s just a ring. No vows attached.”

She pulls away with a smile that has my breath catching. “Oh, it’s that simple?”

“It could be,” I say too quickly, too desperately.

The heated moment fizzles out between us, leaving only pantedbreaths and the grim reminder of our future. Paedyn takes a step away, then a dozen more as she begins pacing the plush carpet. Lifting wet hair off her neck, she clears her throat. “Kitt is… suspicious of our relationship. I think that is why he pushes me away.”

I force myself to scoff, knowing that the alternative is far more dangerous. “Because he still cares for you.”

“We just need to be careful,” Paedyn says calmly. “I don’t want to make things more difficult than they already are.”

I turn away, shoving hands into my pockets. I’m suddenly very interested in the molding that decorates her door. “So, I take it you spoke to Kitt?”

“We had dinner together.” She waits for a reaction I don’t give her. “We’re going to start doing that regularly.”

“Of course,” I bite out. “Kings and queens dine together, after all.”

Jealousy weighs heavy on my words, straining my voice enough to have Paedyn sighing. Her hands cup my face to turn it toward her. “Please don’t push me away too. I don’t want this any more than you do.”

I manage a nod before she’s flicking the tip of my nose weakly. I’m momentarily stunned by the action, as I always am. But it never gets easier, adjusting to the joy that swells within me when her fingers flick my nose. To feel her endearment so physically is a privilege I don’t deserve.

“Don’t do that,” I breathe.

“Do what?”

I duck my head. “Ruin me.”

“I thought that is what you wanted?” she reminds me slyly.

“Not like this.” I tuck a damp strand of hair behind her ear. “Not with him.”

A slow ache begins its inevitable build in my chest. I will always love my brother, but I’m not sure I can bear to watch him grow old with her.Loyalty and love are damning enough when apart from each other. Now, they are dangerously tangled together.

A lingering, sympathetic look is the only answer she offers.

“So, did you come to say goodbye?” Pae’s voice is soft, her change of topic less so. “Just in case.”

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