Page 25 of Taken By the Storm King

“Good morning, your majesty.” Maris’s eyes sparkled with barely suppressed mirth. “Sleep well?”

I gave her a cold look that had absolutely no effect. “The trade reports?”

“Can wait five minutes while you tell us about the human,” Korus stated flatly.

I exhaled, dropping into my chair. “There’s nothing to tell.”

“Nothing?” Maris raised an eyebrow. “The entire palace is buzzing about how our king carried her to his chambers like a conquered prize. How neither of you emerged for dinner. How---“

“Enough.” I rubbed my temples. “Is this a meeting about trade or gossip?”

Maris smirked. “Both.”

I grumbled something unintelligible, but Korus only shrugged, sorting through a pile of scrolls.

“You’ve always been... reserved,” he said. “Controlled. Then this human arrives and suddenly you’re...” He gestured vaguely. “Different.”

“I’m not different.”

“You smiled at breakfast yesterday,” Korus pointed out. “Twice.”

“I smile!”

“No,” Maris replied. “You don’t.”

I scowled, but before I could respond, movement outside the window drew my attention.

Lucy.

She walked through the palace gardens, sunlight catching in her dark hair, her gown shifting around her like flowing water. She trailed her fingers over the petals of a flowering vine, pausing to admire the delicate blooms.

Everything else faded.

I had never seen anyone so effortlessly beautiful.

She crouched near the reflecting pool, reaching out to touch the water’s surface. A small, iridescent fish darted away, then returned hesitantly, as if drawn to her presence.

My heart clenched.

Maris sighed dramatically. “Oh, my friend. You’re in deep.”

I didn’t deny it.

“You should be careful,” Korus warned. “If you’re not, you’ll find yourself asking her to stay.”

My gaze returned to the window, watching as Lucy tilted her face up toward the sky, eyes closed, basking in the warmth of the sun. My jaw tightened.

“Maybe I already have,” I muttered.

Silence.

Maris and Korus exchanged glances, but neither of them spoke.

Finally, Maris smiled, softer this time. “Then I hope she says yes.”

I continued watching Lucy through the window. For just a moment, everything felt right.

But something nagged at the edges of my awareness.

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