Page 25 of The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon
She did.Thane’sbreath was warm on her cheek as he reached past her to open the door.Acool breeze hit her face.
“Open them.”
Ella paused for a heartbeat before opening her eyes.
What lay on the other side of the door took her breath away.Astone patio surrounded by overgrown apple and pear trees glowed in the last light of the day.Theair was heavy with the smell of fruit and flowers.Theshort stone wall was covered in white and black night jasmine.Tinywhite marsh flowers grew up between the cracks, and thin vines spiraled out and around the stone.Theoak and willow trees were so tall they almost enclosed the space.Justa small sliver of night sky was visible.
“It’s beautiful.”Ellastepped through the door, inhaling the sweet scent. “Ididn’t know this place existed.Howdid you find it?”Sheturned back toThane, who leaned against the door frame.Thiswould probably end with him breaking her heart, but until then she’d enjoy this moment.
Thane pushed off the door frame. “Sometimeswhat you need is hiding in plain sight.”
A blanket and basket sat amongst the flowers and vines.Sheswore that it wasn’t there a minute ago. “Whoare you?”
Thane took her hand and pressed a kiss to her wrist. “Thatis a hard question to answer.”
Her skin tingled where he kissed her.Shefound herself leaning closer to him. “No, it’s not.”
“Come, the moon will rise soon.”Thanestepped away and knelt by the basket.Hepulled out a bottle of wine, two glasses, and a tray with meat, cheese, and fruit.
“I don’t thinkIshould drink around you.Itend to lose entire days.”Ellastepped further into the garden.
Thane poured two glasses of wine. “Ipromise there will be no dead men tonight.Onedrink, and then you can leave.”
A feeling that she had done this before pressed against her memories.Notenough for her to know for sure.Justenough to give the odd sensation.Ellasat down, taking the glass. “Onedrink.”Thewine seemed to sparkle in the low light.Itwas pale and sweet, yet a bit tart. “Wheredid you get this?”
Thane looked at the bottle. “Ibrought it with me.Itcomes from a special grape that only grows in my homeland.”
Ella picked at the food, realizing she knew very little about the man she was alone with. “Andwhere is that?”
Thane stretched out, leaning back on his elbows. “Along way from here.Ihad to cross the night sky and the space between day and night to get here.”
Ella stopped chewing.
“I’m teasing.Ihave heard the two maids whispering about me.Iam not someFaeprince come to steal you.I’ma god.”
If the way he looked stretched out next to her was any indication, she would believe him. “You’refunny.Andplease forgiveSissy.Shemeans no harm.”Ellatook another sip of wine.Itwas strangely intoxicating.
“I know.”Thaneplucked a flower from the vine and held it to his nose.
He looked dangerous, reclining amongst the white flowers.Hisdark hair was a mess of waves and curls against his cheek and forehead.She’dstay for a couple drinks.Whowould fault her?Heclaimed to be a god.
“Are you going to tell me what happened the other night?”
Ella swirled her wine around.Itshimmered in the moonlight and made her head feel fuzzy and free. “Areyou going to tell me who you are?”
Thane shrugged. “Myfamily is very wealthy, and, well,Imay have done something that made my father very angry with me.Whichis whyI’mhere, waiting out his wrath.HethinksIdon’t appreciate what he has given me.ThatIdon’t understand whatIcould lose ifIdon’t do as he says.”
“So you are a prince,”Ellateased him.Shehad no idea who the royal family was.Clarahad mentioned them a couple times, butRivertonwas so remote, whatever was happening there had no effect on the small village.
“Something like that.”Thanefrowned.
“Are you serious?”Elladucked to see his face.Shewatched him struggle with how to answer that.Shehad never met a prince.Orat least she didn’t think so. “Thane.”
“Ella.”Hetook a deep breath.
“Gods above, you must have really messed up.Whatgirl would turn down a handsome prince?”Itwas meant to be a tease, but she watched him stiffen. “I’msorry, that was cruel of me.I’msorry she left.”
“You thinkI’mhandsome?”Hetwirled the flower between his fingers.
