Page 39 of The Princess of Nothing
“We get most of our swords from them. Although, we won’t need them now that we’re bringing our kingdoms together. Magic does not always win every battle. Sometimes we must fight with blades.” He lifted his chin. “Our union is unprecedented, unlike anything ever seen. I will be the first ruler to bring peace to Berovia and Magaelor.” He pulled in a deep breath and curled up a satisfied smile on the exhale. The reds in his hair were more prominent in the bright light. “If I could only find a way to get the kingdom of Niferum under our rule, we would reign over half the world.”
Only half, I mused. I’d heard of the other kingdoms far away. Neither of our kingdoms’ men had sailed so far. We’d heard the stories of vicious beasts that splintered the bones of those who dared make it to the islands that surrounded a kingdom larger than both of ours together. On it, the stories told, there were brimstone castles, fiery beings, shifters, and a darkness that could consume any sorcerer or fae. Beyond there, no one knew. Not one person had made it back alive to tell the story.
“Yes, we will.”
The jewelry store was inside a grand sandstone building. A bell tinkled over the door when we entered. Glass windows allowed light to pour into the wide room. Jewels sparkled in their displays, gems that’d spotlight any pirate’s dreams. I didn’t care for jewelry much, but there was no harm in sneaking a peek at some of the items. After all, he’d brought me here to buy me things. It would be rude not to.
I was drawn to a display of earrings. The diamonds were polished to a shine, most colorless, but at the back, a blue gem caught my eye.
“The blue diamond,” Kiros said, seeing my smile, and lightly touched the glass. “They’re extremely rare. I have two myself. Do you want it? They’d match your eyes.”
“Yes, blue. Not green,” I clarified, a smirk playing on my lips.
He chuckled. “Yes, blue.” He eyed the emerald on my engagement ring. “It’s still beautiful. Like you.”
“Stop.” I grinned and tapped his arm.
He brushed his arm against mine. His hairs stood on end. I could feel him warming to me. Perhaps, if I could only get him to care for me, he’d loosen my metaphorical shackles, giving me wiggle room to escape.
His eyes were fixed on mine, a deep, penetrating stare digging into the reaches of my mind. I could feel his breath when he closed the distance between us. He closed his eyes. I cringed but pouted nonetheless.
“Not here,” he said through a heavy breath.
I sighed relief, faking it as a gasp.
His lips brushed against my forehead on the way up. “I want our first kiss to be somewhere special. Just us.”
Opportunity called. “I agree.” I splayed my fingers over his chest. “It’s intoxicating, is it not?”
His touch lingered on my skin when he pulled away. I wanted to take a step back, but I didn’t want to offend, not when I was so close.
“The blue diamond earrings,” he called. His stare prolonged on me until he was forced to look away by the storekeeper.
“Your Highness.” The man bowed, showing the top of his balding head.
I touched my earlobe. I didn’t want to take advantage, but then, why not? They’d tortured me. It wasn’t like I could keep it anyway once I’d escaped. The jeweler offered for me to try them on, but I shook my head. I wanted to get out of the store and go back to that alone time. Would he give me my staff if I asked after a kiss? Would lust drive him to be careless?
They placed them inside silver tissue paper and wrapped them. Kiros groaned impatience, both of ours growing thin for different reasons. He wanted me, and I wanted to use him. We rushed back into the carriage once he’d paid.
Kiros’s face flushed red. He opened his legs, pointing them toward me. Every other moment, he’d cast a furtive gaze at me. I saw the building desire in his eyes. I hated him and everything he stood for, but for a second, as we passed the bridge and the gravel crunched beneath us, I saw a boy who just wanted to be loved behind his lost eyes.
