Page 54 of The Court of Secrets
He inhaled slowly, a laugh of disbelief passing his lips. “The only one?” he said, as if he hadn’t heard me right.
My lips parted. I don’t know why I said it. Anger? Curiousness of his reaction?
“Don’t you see what you’ve done to me?” His gaze narrowed. “There is reason to Lucien’s anger. He thinks my heart controls my head. He’s not wrong. I put Niferum at risk for you.”
“You did what was right for your kingdom,” I said in a small voice.
“No.” He shook his head. “I didn’t, and deep down, you know that. They had the Sword. I could have been killed. I went after your cousin and cut off his head so you wouldn’t have to.”
I didn’t know what to say.
“It’s why I’m in pain,” he said. “The curse is tearing me apart, more so when I’m with you. Because, Winter, as impossible as it may be, I’m in love with you.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
I parted my lips, but I couldn’t find the words. I had secretly wanted to hear those words for so long, but I never thought I would.
“How?”
“I don’t know.” He carefully watched my reaction, regarding every move I made. I sat on the edge of the bed, blowing out a tense breath.
He was unrelenting and unforgiving in saying it, and a part of me knew he felt that way, but the curse had always been the barrier I could rely on to choose otherwise. Apparently, it didn’t even matter anymore.
I inhaled deeply. My mind was blank. After everything, I couldn’t deny it, deny him, and I hated him for making me feel this way when he’d hurt Cedric. Even Cedric knew I’d choose Blaise over him. Was it so obvious to everyone but me?
Anticipation rippled between us. “I should have told you before, when I first knew.” He crouched until he was face-to-face with me on the side of the bed. “I’m not a good man, love. I’m not always going to do the right thing or make decisions you agree with, but I will always, and I mean always, put you first.”
My heart hammered. As I gazed into his eyes, everything slowed around us. His breath was minty. He smelled like smoked spice, from the party. Before I could say anything back, his lips were on mine, stealing my next breath.
I spread my fingers against his chest. His heart raced under my touch. We crumpled into each other. I couldn’t think about anything other than the feel of him against me. He deepened the kiss, stroking his tongue against mine. I wrapped my legs around him, and he tangled his hands into my hair.
He pushed me onto the bed, his fingers dancing down my hip. “Tell me you want this.”
“I want you,” I said against his lips. “I’m yours, Blaise. I always was.”
***
I woke up against him. The sheets stuck to my skin, and my mind raced. I couldn’t help but smile as I relished his warmth, the feel of his skin against mine. He looked so peaceful when asleep. Closing my eyes, I almost forgot where I was.
My hands shot to my mouth as a gasp escaped my lips. I jolted out of his arms. “No, no, no, no.”
He stretched his arms out, watching me rush around. A smirk played on his lips. “Morning.”
“I need to get back to my chambers.” I rubbed my forehead. “They’ll have noticed I’ve gone.” Sun poured through the cracks of the deep-purple drapes. “If they see me leave here.” I gathered my dress in my arms.
He jumped out of bed and rushed to me. “You forget who you are.”
“It’s precisely because I know who I am that I’m panicking.”
“Winter.” He let out a low chuckle. “What can they do if you’re found here? Remove you as queen?”
I shook my head. “They will gossip. The lords will be angry.”
His eyes crinkled at the corners. “They’re already mad. Everyone talks anyway. At least now they have a reason to.” He kissed the side of my neck, sending tingles down my spine.
“Stop,” I said halfheartedly.
“I meant what I said last night.” He ran his fingers down my arm and entwined his fingers with mine. I wanted to run my hands through his black curls and let the day slip away in his arms. He looked even more handsome without styling his hair… or wearing one of his tunics, pants, and boots. “Love?”
