Page 94 of Lifebound

“So what? Just because you were banished doesn’t mean you can’t have nice clothes. You’re friends with a prince, aren’t you?”

When he looked at me again, he was almostsmiling “No. That I was banished means that Ido not have towear velvet. I can wear anything I want.”

Ooh.That made more sense—and that gleaming in his eyes, the little mischievous hint? I fuckingadoredit. That’s why I found myself grinning like an idiot.

We didn’t talk again for a long time, Rune and I.

However,the next time I did speak to someone, I may or may not have fucked everything up pretty badly.

Oops.

twenty-six

“You haveto stay here while I go get you food,” Rune said.

I looked around at the forest that had gotten way too dark so suddenly—and it was still only twilight—and decided, “You know what? I am actually not that hungry.”

Unfortunately for me, Rune could see right through my bullshit. “If not now, you will be in a couple of hours. And I need to find a horse and a carriage as well.”

“Then I’ll just come with you.” Because as nice as a carriage sounded, I wasn’t going to stay here near a forest that looked like it was crawling with dark things I didn’t even want to think about. The nearest building at the edge of this town was fifteen feet away—that was way too far.

“You can’t. People have been noticing you, whispering questions. It’s safer if you wait here. These woods are harmless,” Rune said, smiling sneakily.

“Harmless?I beg to differ,” I said because those trees lookedevilin the dark, like they were hiding wolves and snakes, and even fucking Bigfoot was in there somewhere, waiting to jump me.

“Wildcat, I know you’re afraid, but?—”

My dramatic gasp cut him off. “Afraid?” I screeched. “How dare you. I amnotafraid, you despicable, arrogant fae-prick.” Pressing my finger to his chest, I said, “I amterrified.”

Which was the absolute truth.

Rune squeezed his eyes shut and smiled. Actually smiled all the way.

His lips stretched to the sides, and I saw all of his teeth, white and the canines just slightly crooked and perfect.

My heart stopped beating—and I’m not even exaggerating.

But he was good at controlling himself, which was honestly making me kind of envious, so he pulled his lips inside his mouth the very next second until the urge to smile passed.

Still,Idid that. I made him smile like that, and it felt like one of the biggest accomplishments of my life because I wasthatlame right now.

But damn. This guy was playing with my poor heart.

“I’ll tell you what,” he whispered as he leaned in closer and raised a fist to my face. “I’ll leave you in good company.”

Rune opened his fingers slowly to reveal a bird made out of white light that was looking up at me as it sat there in the palm of his hand. It was small and cute and so perfect it hurt.

Damn you, despicable fae.

Did I mention how well he played with my heart?

I grabbed his wrist and held it there, analyzing the little bird with the wings only half spread, like it wasn’t sure whether to take off flying yet or not. It looked exactlylike a nightingale made out of glowing light, and it was so easy to forget that it was just magic while it moved its tiny head to the sides curiously. Exactly like a real bird would do.

“I’ve been working on the details,” Rune said in a whisper. “There were a lot of nightingales in the forest near your home. I figured you’d like it.”

Likeit?

I absolutely did not like this—Ilovedit. Lived for it. Would probably make this moment my entire life—but I did not simplylikeit.

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