Page 35 of Thief of Dreams
"Not going to fall."
No matter what I must do.
"Stubborn," he says, but there's a hint of fondness to the words. Snapping his fingers, he summons a bowl of steaming water out of thin air and a pile of fresh linens.
Then his hand is planted firmly in the middle of my chest, and he pushes me gently onto the bed. I land and sink into the mattress as if it's made of the softest feathers.
"If you wanted me in your bed, you should have asked." Wait. Did I just say that? I touch my pounding head. I think I'm concussed.
"Yes, you most likely are," the prince replies, as if I spoke the thought out loud. "Here."
There's a gentle hand on my face, and heat brushing against my head. It feels nice. It feels as though I can almost see again, as if my head's no longer throbbing.
"Mmm." I press his hand to my face like a cat seeking affection. "Good."
"That will heal some of the swelling inside your head." He wipes blood from my hair. "If I'd known all I had to do to get you alone again was knock you half unconscious, I might have tried it this morning."
"Ha." I rest my chin on my knee tiredly. "You might have my company, but I daresay the conversation is bound to be lacking."
"It's never lacking when it's with you." He dips the piece of linen in the water, and then dabs it against my wound. "You're always a challenge, and I know you're hiding something from me, but I like trying to work out what it is." He leans closer, his breath brushing against my lips. "You are a constant puzzle, and I cannot figure you out, Merisel."
Merisel.
How I'm coming to hate that name.
"You're a predator," I say flatly. "Of course you want to chase the one female you can't have."
"Can't I have her?" he muses. And then his thumb ripples down my cheek and brushes softly across my mouth. Back and forth, until I hold my breath, waiting to see what he'll do with it. "Because when she's being honest—like now—I know she wants me."
"There's your ego again," I whisper and shut my eyes.
Because I can't avoid the look in his own.
"Yes and no," he says. "I see it in your eyes every time you look at me. I see the war that's being waged. You fear being trapped by my offer. You fear you cannot trust it."
A bitter laugh escapes me, because he's so close to the truth....
And yet so far.
"You've been avoiding me ever since that night we dined," he whispers. "Why?"
Maybe I am still dizzy.
"Because I like you," I blurt. "And I shouldn't. It will ruin everything." I can barely get the words out. "I will ruin everything."
Keir cups my cheek in his hand, and my eyes shoot open only to find his face bare inches from my own, his eyes sparking gold as he leans closer to me. "Yes and no," he whispers. "It's still there."
I thought he was going to kiss me, but he merely brushes his lips to my temples. "I will wait until it's only ayes. I can be patient. I've been waiting for you for a very long time, Merisel."
My heart stops dead in its chest. I swear it does. I draw back sharply. "What?"
This can't be happening.
I push to my feet and stagger past him. "No.No." This is precisely what I was trying to avoid. "You don't even know me."
"I know you are kind. I know you're strong, and a fighter, and you protect those who aren't. You knew Ismena was going to be attacked tonight, and despite your feelings for her, you tried to protect her," he says, seemingly amused by my panic. His voice roughens. "I know you are the one I want."
Which is precisely what I thought he was saying.
