Page 63 of Lost Heir
Ronan wrapped his arms around me, bringing my body flush against his. “I don’t know how I’ll manage to be away from you while I’m in the Grasslands,” he muttered as he brought his lips closer to mine.
I wrapped my arms around his neck to bring him closer. “I guess that means you’ll have to hurry back.” In the next instant, Ronan slammed his lips onto mine with an all-consuming kiss that forced all other thoughts to flee.
Our hearts raced as the world around us faded into a blur of colors and sensations. Ronan's touch sent shivers down my spine, igniting a fire that threatened to consumeevery inch of my being. The intensity of our kiss deepened, our breaths mingling in a passionate dance.
With each moment that passed, I realized I was falling deeper and deeper for him. His presence was intoxicating, and his touch set my soul ablaze with desire. The taste of his lips lingered on mine, imprinting itself on my very essence.
As we finally pulled away, our eyes locked in a silent promise of what was to come. The connection between us crackled with energy, drawing us together like magnets unable to resist their pull. In that moment, I knew that no matter how much physical distance separated us, our love would endure.
Ronan smiled, and the tenderness in his crimson eyes made my heart swell. “I will return to you, I promise,” he whispered.
“You better, or I’ll go to the Grasslands looking for you,” I joked.
His expression turned serious in a blink. “Whatever you do, donotcome to the Grasslands. My father is full of all kinds of tricks. If he captures you, he’s not above keeping you there against your will,” Ronan admitted.
I frowned. “You really think he’d do something that foolish, knowing Valoria would call for war to get me back?”
“If he’s able to resurrect the demon fox, the Crimson Clan would be unstoppable. A war with a neighboring kingdom would mean nothing in the grand scheme of things,” Ronan said. “Promise me you’ll wait here for me.”
“I promise,” I said. “Just return quickly.”
“I will.”
20
Ispent the next few days wrapped up in Ronan, which was fortunate since Selene was secretly meeting Marcellus. Occasionally Ronan and I would come up for air and wander the grounds, and on those occasions, Henry was our little shadow. As I predicted, the days went by in a blur and the third day was upon us sooner than we liked. Ronan would leave for the Grasslands after lunch.
The morning of his departure was charged with unspoken sorrow. We both tried to keep the mood light, laughing and reminiscing about our time in the Central Plains and Valoria, but the impending goodbye loomed over us like a dark cloud.
Before lunch, we decided to take a walk through the gardens, a place that had become our sanctuary in the past three days. The flowers were in full bloom, their colors vibrant against the pale backdrop of the palace. It was beautiful, yet I couldn't fully appreciate it knowing that in just an hour, Ronan would be on his way back to the Grasslands.
“Leila,” Ronan said, breaking the silence between us, “you know I wish I didn't have to go.”
I squeezed his hand tighter, suddenly finding it hard to swallow past the lump in my throat. “I know.”
He stopped walking and turned to face me, cupping my face in his hands. “Remember, no matter where I am, my heart remains with you. I'll return as soon as I can.”
I nodded, my eyes brimming with unshed tears. “I'll be waiting,” I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.
We sat at a table nestled in the gardens and waited for the court ladies to finish serving our meal. When Tessa came over with her tasting plate and spoon, I rolled my eyes. “Tessa, you really don’t have to check my food every day. No one wants to poison me!” I chuckled and reached for a piece of bread.
Tessa stopped my hand and scolded, “Your Highness,please.”
Letting out a deep sigh, I patiently waited as she tried everything. She nibbled a piece of bread, tested the salad, and ate a bite of the meat course. But when she took a spoonful of the soup, she paused for a moment and suddenly dropped the spoon with a clatter. Tessa’s eyes bulged and she clutched her throat as foam trickled at the corners of her mouth. She dropped to her knees before us, her face going beet red as she gasped for air.
“Tessa!” I shrieked.
“Viktor!” Ronan shouted for my guard, who was standing outside the garden to give us privacy. “Call for the healer!”
Sensing the urgency in Ronan’s voice, Viktor ran off.
I gathered Tess’s convulsing body in my arms and Ronan dropped to the ground beside me. “Hang in there, Tess,” I murmured. “Just …” A thought crossed my mind and my eyes widened. “Ronan! Pass me a knife!”
He frowned in confusion, but leaned up to the table andgrabbed a knife. With it, I quickly pierced the tip of my finger and applied pressure to stimulate blood flow. Once a scarlet drop of blood welled up, I squeezed several droplets into Tessa’s gaping mouth.
“Leila,” Ronan started, “I don’t think your blood can cure poisoning—”
“My blood can cure anything!” I shrieked. “It has to! It cured Caelan when he was poisoned!”
