Page 54 of Ruby & Onyx

“Only if you do them with me.” If he’s strong enough to keep going, then so am I.

“Fine. Fifty lunges. Let’s go.” He lowers into the stance without showing so much as a hint of pain. The lines of his abs flex beneath the sweat dripping down his body, completely free of any shaking or fatigue.

I, on the other hand, fight back tears as I bend my legs. My muscles quiver in protest.

“Do you have something to say?” He moves up and down in his lunge as if the movement is as easy as breathing.

Curse him. I regret ever asking him to join me in this ridiculous endeavor. “I’m done for the day,” I whisper, folding my arms across my chest.

“What was that?” He leans in, cupping his hand around his ear.

“You heard me,” I say through gritted teeth.

“I did not! I need you to repeat yourself.”

I huff in frustration and yell, “I’m ready to give up!”

“That’s all you needed to say, darling.” He strides toward me with evident satisfaction written in his smile. “Now, how about I give you a tour of the gardens?”

“Now?” I don’t know that I can walk to the gardens without my legs crumbling.

“Come on,” he says, reaching a hand out to me. “Just say yes.” His almond eyes narrow on me as he bites his lip. Thankfully, my cheeks are already reddened by the workout, or else he might see how deeply that look affected me.

“Fine.”

“Good. Let’s go.” Before I can stop him, he scoops me up in his arms, cradling me against his bare chest. He holds me like the weight is nothing, even after our workout.

“Gods, Olly! You could have warned me first!” I wrap my hands around his neck and consider whether or not he’ll drop me if I squirm. Better to just stay still.

“If I had warned you, I would have missed that delicious look on your face.” He steps down the spiral staircase without missing a breath.

“Are you going to carry me all the way there?”

“Would you rather walk?”

My mouth snaps shut. “No.”

He gives me a playful wink. “Then get comfortable, Princess.”

“Don’t call me Princess!” I swear he says it just to rattle me.

And, true to his word, he carries me all the way to the garden. I don’t know what type of magic he used to sustain a two-hour workout and still manage to carry me so far.

“Where are you taking me, anyways?” I’ve already seen the garden. What could be worth carrying me all this way?

He sets me down gently and then grabs my hand. “I want to show you my second favorite part of the palace. Behind the rooftop, of course.” His eyes are fixed on the flower-lined path ahead. “Have you been out here before?”

“Not really.” Not enough to report anything remarkable, that is.

“Good.” He pulls me alongside him, stepping over a mound of flowers. “I’ll get to see your expression when you experience it for the first time.”

“And what will I be experiencing?” I ask.

“You have to see it to believe it.”

“How far away is it?” I amble forward with the grace of a wounded animal.

“Not far. I promise”

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