Page 73 of The Call of Crimson
The breath catches in my lungs. Warmth fills my chest when I realize how Ayden truly sees me.
Not just a pawn or peace offering. But as something desired and worthy.
“You certainly make a strong argument,” I finally manage to say.
“And I’ll keep making it until you give us a chance.”
“I can’t make you any promises, Ayden.”
“All I ask is that you actually try.”
A nod is all I can manage in response.
“Thank you,” Ayden whispers.
I circle back to the thought that snagged in my mind. “You inquired about me?”
“Of course I did. I wanted some idea of who I was marrying.”
My brow furrows. “But who did you ask?”
“Aurelius,” he says, like it should have been obvious.
It should be, though. Aurelius was the royal emissary and had spent more time here than in any other kingdom.
“And he gave you a positive assessment of me?”
“Glowing, actually.” Ayden rubs the back of his neck, a small smile tugging the corner of his lips. “He sounded rather fond of you, even if he was reluctant to speak about you at first.”
“I don’t understand.” I shake my head, trying to piece together a puzzle that doesn’t fit.. “Aurelius and I, until very recently, couldn’t stand one another. We’venevergotten along.”
“For someone so intelligent,” Ayden teases, “you’re very oblivious.”
I punch him in the shoulder, snorting. “I am not.”
“But you are,” he insists, smiling. “As much as it pains me to admit this to my fiancée, that male isn’t just obsessed with you, Breyla. He’s in love with you. I thought perhaps it was a lingering loyalty to your father at first... but after arriving in Rimor, it became painfully obvious”
Ayden runs his hand through his dark curls, mussing them into a charming, disheveled mess that, annoyingly, makes him look even more attractive.
“Then why would he treat me the way he did?” I ask, frustration creeping into my voice. “We’ve hated one another foryears, Ayden.”
“You were off-limits to him,” Ayden says simply. “My guess? It was easier for him to keep you at arm’s distance, to fight you, than to risk feeling more than he was allowed to. Thereis nothing more painful than having the object of your desire within reach, yet being unable to touch it.”
“You sound like you speak from experience.”
“Not me,” he says with a shrug, pulling me closer, pressing his nose along the column of my neck, and inhaling deeply. “Someone I know.”
“Get back or I’ll punch you again,” I warn, trying to shove him off.
“I do like it when you get violent.” He chuckles, stepping back half a pace.. “But I have a better idea for how you can burn that violent energy.”
“I’m not fucking you, Ayden,” I deadpan.
“Get your mind out of the gutter, love. I wasn’t even going there.” He winks. “I meant training.”
My face lights up, a grin stretching wide across my lips.
“That sounds like significantly more fun. Do I get pants?”
