Page 89 of Of Glass and of Gold

“I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner. I went to check on dinner. It’s nearly ready,” he spoke tenderly, the words a healing balm to my still receding terror. I swiped at the back of my neck, the skin damp and warm.

“Here.” He moved to the water basin in the corner of our tent, filling a glass and returning to me. I took it and gulped it down.

Releasing a heavy breath, I said, “Thank you.”

He didn’t reply, merely nodded and sat on the edge of his cot.

That dream—nightmare—had shaken me. It was partially the reason I never wanted to see him again after this, because of what would happen if someone recognized me and told him what I’d done.

I hadn’t had a chance to attend another one of those meetings, only leaving Alejo a note regarding what I’d learned from the ball, but mentioned that I wanted to discuss our approach.

Even before learning Chol’s true identity, I’d wanted to change their minds.

But leaving a note like that had been foolish. A paper trail? In connection with a group seeking to murder the prince? It’s not like I’d signed my name, but if that staff girl from the castle was ever questioned about sharing details with any of the guests, paired with being spotted alone with the prince in the garden, and put in the spotlight on that dance floor…

That prince in my dream wasn’t real. I shook the soul-splitting image from my head. The man in this tent with me, offering me a glass of water, taking me across the kingdom to save my sister, that’s who he was. The thought of that made me all the more hungry to receive his kindness, to banish who he’d been in that nightmare.

“What’s for dinner?” I lifted my gentle gaze to his as I asked.

He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, hands clasped in between his spread legs. At my question, he seemed to brighten, lifting himself up slightly. “Uh, meat and potatoes, it looks like.” He answered with surprise. Surprise that I’d spoken to him at all, let alone looked at him.

I realized neither of us wore our hoods or masks. In this tent, I sat with Nicholas, and he saw me. Knew the desires of my heart, had tasted my passion, witnessed my fear.

Things had grown so complicated with this beautiful man, and an ache spread in my chest as I began to mourn the things we would never be to each other.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, his deep voice like a sensual caress, sending shivers down my spine.

“Um.” I took a moment to take stock of myself. Doubting if I should say it out loud, admit to it, I said it anyway, “I’m scared.” I knew he’d meant about my physical state, but my fear caused me more anxiety than weary muscles ever would.

He sighed heavily through his nose. “Nora, I’m sorry. For all of this. I never wanted—” he rubbed his hands together before dragging one down the length of his face. “I never wanted any of this. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to do anything sooner, that I didn’t put an end to the kidnappings, that your sister…” His head fell, hanging low between his shoulder blades. “It may not mean much, but I want you to know I tried, Nora. I’m trying.”

It became difficult to swallow. I played through our interactions, filtering them through the lens of his princely position. He’d learned he couldn’t trust some of his guards. The anger he let slip in the garden while staring at the castle, that he wasn’t always solely in charge. For all the anger and excuses I could throw at him, reiterating his power and influence, I’d seen this man. Behind, and in front of, a mask. Knew he fought to find a different way to help my people—our people.

And though it didn’t make a difference for us going forward, warmth spread behind my eyes—because I believed him. “Today, we turn the tide on their whole operation. We let them know their reign of terror is over, and we save my sister. We end them.” So we can put this chapter to a close.

He nodded, his ocean eyes turning glassy. I knew it was because he thought I was coming around. That I was returning to the Ella he knew. A fracture spread over my heart, knowing my deceit.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m starving,” I said to lighten the mood.

Light laughter, as gentle and sure as a babbling brook, streamed out of him. “Then let’s eat.”

44

Nora

Dinner passed. Nicholas and I remained cloaked, watchful eyes on the interactions around us. Just a band of refugees thriving on their little parcel of land free of persecution for having and practicing magic.

Nicholas explained that Windguard had been cracking down on magic wielders, punishing with imprisonment or death for those caught with the gift. Many fled to Highcrest, which Nicholas freely welcomed. They’d been free of persecution here. At least, until the kidnappings began.

We sat concealed in the darkness of night, us and a small legion of a couple dozen refugees squatting by the river. The current surged with more force than I’d anticipated, but I kept my eyes peeled on the water. If the ship moving through kept its invisibility spell, irregular displacement in the water would be our only tell.

Leaves rustled beside us until Ro emerged, crouching low, bow and quiver prepared at her back. “Anything?” she whispered, though the roaring river fought to drown out conversation.

“No,” I said, the word giving my doubts more life. What if there was no ship? What if something else happened to Melody? What if they didn’t need to transport her because they’d already…

My hands ran nervously along my thighs, back and forth, an attempt to soothe the growing unease. A hand rested on top of mine.

“We’ll stop them,” Nicholas said, leaning closer to me in the dark. Heat from his towering body spread near my shoulder, the temptation to rest against him becoming harder to ignore.

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