Page 37 of The Princess and the Demon

He glances over at me quickly, his eyes darkening slightly.

Looking down at the little creature asleep in my lap, I decide to try to get him to open up to me.

“You know it’s always been just me.” I say after a moment. “Other than my handmaid of course. I’ve been alone most of my life.”

Amon tilts his head at me with a frown, so I continue.

“I was never able to do the things other kids my age did, so I spent a lot of time around books. I read, and learned, and studied everything I could get my hands on.”

I turn slightly, looking over my shoulder at him. He’s watching me with interest.

“Why weren’t you able to do what others did?” He asks gruffly.

“I was born broken. Brittle bones. I break too easily, so a lot of activities were unattainable for me.” I look down to fidget with my nails, and my hair falls into my face a bit.

I hear him shift, then feel the tip of a clawed finger brush my hair away from my face. Amon tilts his head down to look around my curtain of hair.

“Don’t hide.” He says.

Looking over at him, I tuck my hair around my ear, smiling off the tingling sensation that simple touch left on my skin.

“If you could do one thing, what would it be?” Amon asks, watching me closely.

I’m quiet as I contemplate his question. One thing?

“Honestly, I really wish I could learn how to use a bow.”

Amon’s eyebrows twitch in surprise.

“A bow? Out of everything?”

I nod, looking up at him. “Yeah. Does it sound silly?”

He shakes his head. “Not at all. It’s a good skill to have. I can teach you.” The words come out quickly, and he stops, frowning at the ground. Anticipation curls in my belly.

“Really?” I ask, my eyes widening.

He’s quiet for a moment before raising his eyes to mine again.

“If that’s something you want to learn, yes.”

Excitement overcomes me, and I reach out to throw my arms around him. The drakeling in my lap startles awake, running off into the brush.

Amon stiffens beneath my embrace, and I grin before releasing him.

We sit there for a moment, the awkward silence spanning too many heartbeats before he clears his throat.

“I’ll leave you to it.” He says as he rises from the ground effortlessly.

I look up at him, taking him in. I nod, smiling. “Ok.”

He lingers a moment longer before turning to stalk away.

I fall back against the grass, sighing. Excitement courses through me at the idea that I would finally learn how to use a bow. With Amon, nonetheless.

The knowledge that I would be spending more time with him sends a shiver down my spine.

I feel the little pin pricks of claws over my bodice as the little drakeling crawls up to lay on my chest.

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