Page 60 of Ruby & Onyx

I swallow that emotion and disguise it with sarcasm, anything to make all of this mind-rattling confusion come to an end. “I dream of a land where young kings know when to mind their own business.”

“You dream of other kings, then?” His thick eyebrow quirks up, curving with intrigue.

“Did you not hear the second part of that sentence?” I scoff.

“I heard it. But, as I said, I want to know everything.” His fingers cross into a folded steeple that presses to his lips.

“You really want to know everything?”

“Everything.”

“Okay, for starters, I go to bed soon after the sun goes down every night without exception. And, as you can see, we’re reaching that time. I wouldn’t want you interrupting my dreams of handsome foreign kings.” There’s very little chance of my being able to sleep tonight, as I’ll likely be dissecting every single word exchanged between us, but he doesn’t need to know that.

He theatrically slams his hand into his chest in mock agony. “You’re too cruel.”

“And you’re overstaying your welcome.” I stand and twist my hair into a knot, but it seems to be willfully rejecting my attempts, coming undone and bouncing down my back in golden waves. Olly stands next to me and runs his fingers over the loosened mess, brushing closer to me. His gaze catches on something behind me. I turn to see what it is and notice a vase of black roses next to my bed.

His hand is still twirling a piece of my hair, even as his eyes darken in focus. “Where did you get those?”

“I didn’t know they were there until now. Somebody must have left them.” Gemma never mentioned them, and I surely didn’t notice. I’m not sure who left them or when they would have had the chance to do so.

His face twists into a devilish grin. “Goodnight, Radya.” Without another word, he swiftly turns on his heels and exits the room, leaving me to wonder what the hell just happened.

Chapter 27

Tossing and turning back and forth, restless and wound-up after Olly’s interruption, I lie awake thinking about every word that passed between us. Sometimes he flirts, and then sometimes he pushes me away without a second thought. It’s the back and forth, hot and cold, that drives me mad.

There’s a seductive charm that laces his every word and curls me around his finger, making me feel like nothing more than a passing amusement. I can’t understand what goes through that mind of his.

More than anything, I wish I didn’t fall for it so easily. It’s that smile, those lips, that effortless charm that makes it impossible not to relent to his games.

A sound snaps me away from that line of thought – the sound of the door creaking. I look down at my feet to see that the noise awoke Moose, as well. His ears perked up, and he’s staring intently in the direction of the door. The curtains that drape around my bed prevent me from seeing the source of the noise, but I’m too afraid to pull them back. I stiffen, hoping that whatever lurks beyond this bed isn’t real.

Another creak. And then another.

It must be the footsteps of someone moving closer.

Olly, maybe?

An invisible?

I hold my breath, and Moose begins to growl in warning. Still, the steps grow closer.

All I can think to do is carefully and quietly kick the covers off of my body to free my feet. Whether that is a means to run or kick, I’m not sure. But slowly, quietly, I peel my legs out from underneath the thick fabric.

Black leather gloves wrap around the center of the curtain, curling around it slowly. My heart beats so viciously that I can hardly think. But I have to think. Someone is here, and I need to create an escape plan. Immediately.

Before I can contemplate my options any further, the curtains on my right rip apart in one swift motion. I barrel roll to my left and land on my knees with a thud. Moose barks viciously and snaps his jaws until the intruder’s piercing scream shatters the dark.

I use that opportunity to yell for help as I spring to my feet.

Despite the light of a crescent moon shining in through the window, the room still wears a blanket of darkness. I see only the outline of the man as he shrinks back into the corner, kicking his leg to free himself from Moose’s bite.

Moose pulls back but continues to bark furiously, placing himself directly between the intruder and me. I step back toward the balcony and scream for help again. It comes out in a blood curdling cry when I see the blade clutched in the intruder’s hand.

The hood of his cloak falls, but I don’t recognize him. His features are obscured by shadows, so it’s hard to know for sure. But from what I can see, there isn’t any hatred or fury in his expression, only determination.

He lunges around the bed, and then all I can see is that blade plunging toward me. Frozen with fear, I close my eyes and prepare for the worst.

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