Page 95 of Stars May Burn

His eyes narrowed a fraction, and he stepped closer so our hands were crushed between us. “Who?”

I shook my head at his foolishness. “You, of course.”

He froze and blinked as if he couldn’t comprehend what I was saying. “Even this last week? Even when I made you angry yesterday?”

“Yes.”

I registered each of his breaths becoming deeper under our entwined hands. My mouth became so dry, I could no longer wet my lips.

“And you mean that? You’re not just saying that because it’s your duty as my wife?”

“I mean that,” I whispered, my words incapable of gaining true sound. “I’ve never had feelings for anyone but you.”

He closed his eyes and exhaled, looking down for a moment. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for yesterday when I charged in and acted like an idiot. I’m sorry I made you feel small and weak. I’ll help you show your family that you’re beyond their power. Next time, we can make a plan together.”

I nodded, a weight lifting from my chest. “Thank you.”

“Sophie, you are…you are…” He exhaled again and shook his head as if to clear it. “There’s been something I’ve been wanting to tell you. Since the moment I first saw you in Trembok gardens, you’ve haunted my dreams, my thoughts—distracted me endlessly. That is why I married you. Not out of pity or because I thought you were weak and needed protecting, but because you are the most beautiful person I have ever witnessed. You are everything I ever wanted. And I feel like you’re everything I shouldn’t have.” His eyes were half tortured, half longing as they tore into my soul. “You are so perfect. Somebody like me shouldn’t even touch you. Somebody drenched in blood and chased by death. A bastard who is so universally rejected, his own father is trying to kill him.”

I gripped his hands tightly, the venom in his words bringing tears to my eyes. I longed to truly soothe his soul and its endless well of pain. “You, Kasten Batton, are the bravest, strongest man I’ve ever known. And it is my greatest honor to be your wife. I will strive every day to be worthy of you and of your people.”

His lips tightened and he looked away for a moment as if my words were too much for him to take, before he dragged his eyes back to mine. “You don’t find me weak?”

I gaped at him. “Of course not.”

He looked down again. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “For all the death and danger, for the risks you have to take.”

I shook my head. “They’re not your fault, and I want to be a part of them. My life has always been full of danger.”

“Hopefully, not for much longer.” He raised his eyes and didn’t speak for a moment. “I’ve missed you this week, Sophie. Having you so close yet barely seeing you has been torture. I want to make life better for us from now on.”

An apology and excuse started on my lips, but then I stopped, knowing it wasn’t what he wanted to hear. “I’ve missed you too.”

He reached up his hand and ever so slowly ran the back of his knuckles down my cheek. They hooked under my chin and tilted my face up. I forgot how to breathe as his face moved closer.

“Do I have permission?” he whispered so quietly I almost didn’t hear.

I nodded, and he lowered his lips to mine. This time the kiss was much longer and sweeter. His hand stayed, lifting my chin as his fingers grazed my throat, and I wondered if he could feel my racing pulse. His other hand cupped the small of my back. He was before and behind me, hemming me in, and for the first time in my life, held by those strong but achingly gentle arms, I felt completely safe.

I never wanted him to let me go again.

SOPHIE

When morning came, I felt lighter than I had since the king’s party. In fact, I was buzzing with a strange, half nervous, half excited energy. I knew hope was a dangerous thing, but Kasten really did care about me. Deeply. He had wanted to marry me. It changed everything.

After eating a large breakfast and spending much longer than normal on my makeup, I decided on a big project to distract my mind from Kasten and the kiss we’d shared last night, otherwise, I was going to be unproductive all day. Every time I thought about my husband, I felt my cheeks heat and my stomach dip, and though it wasn’t an unpleasant sensation, quite the opposite in fact, I didn’t want to spend the morning daydreaming.

Callum strode into my workroom without knocking and lurked behind me while I stoked the fire. “What are you doing?”

I didn’t turn but kept adding ash logs, which apparently burned the hottest. The metal thermometer fastened to the cauldron remained annoyingly low. “Nothing to do with you today, I’m afraid. I’m preparing bigsweed.”

“Looks to me like you’re trying to burn the castle down.”

I didn’t honor him with a glare but pointed to instructions in an open book on the table.

Callum peered at the pages and tutted. “I have no clue what bigsweed is or what you’re trying to do, but you’re not going to reach those temperatures in here. Unless you really do set the whole room on fire.”

I sighed, waving him away. “Well, I won’t with your pessimism, that’s for sure.”

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