Page 27 of Secrets of Avalon

“She is everyone’s concern if that’s what it’s like to be around her… what happened?”

“Destrien, you will not speak of her. Just as Kellan of Gilat ordered. I give you the same order. For her sake and mine, you must help keep her existence hidden from the High Council.” Hawke takes a step toward Kellan. “How will you explain your use of magick to the Council?”

“I will not explain. I will merely apologize for the disruption.”

Hawke presses his lips tight and rolls his neck. “Darkwood will not let that be the end. If what my brother says is true, he would’ve seen Lady Melinda.”

Kellan leans closer to Hawke and lowers his voice to a whisper. “Darkwood is not my king. I do not fear him or his influence.”

“Must be nice.” Hawke’s brother, Destrien crosses his arms over his broad chest.

“It is.” That same wicked grin Kellan used on Hawke when he knocked him into the dirt shows up on his face again. “Where are they, Prince Destrien?”

“They’re in the Hall of Grievances through the north door of the throne room. Do you–”

“I know it.” Kellan looks to Hawke. “If I leave my Domina with you, will she be safe?”

“Death would have to take me before harm would befall her. I give you my word.”

Death. Wait. What? “What is going on?”

Kellan takes my hand and squeezes it gently. “Political peacocks, Domina. I must make myself appear unimportant and seek forgiveness for offending them.”

I nod. “But they won’t hurt you…will they?”

“No, I will be fine. Stay with the Stormblood princes. I will be back as soon as the High Council has been sufficiently placated. Domina, do you understand? And no matter what happens–” He looks at the two men again. “Do not let Nimue take her from your sight.”

They both nod and a moment later Kellan’s gone and I’m standing alone with both Hawke and Destrien, princes of Avalon. I clasp my hands together in front of me, painfully aware of how see-through my dress is all of a sudden. How much of my cleavage is showing. How much skin shows through the slits in the skirts.

Hawke is staring at me the way Kellan described it earlier. Like he’s hungry and I’m the meal. But I like it. I like that he’s looking at me that way. I just wish his brother wasn’t here watching.

“I’m going to step outside and give the two of you a moment, if that’s acceptable to you milady?”

“Yes, do that,” Hawke says, not breaking eye contact with me for a second.

“I was asking her, brother.”

“Yes, it’s fine. You can give us a moment.” I manage to tear my gaze away from Hawke and meet his brother’s piercing stare. “I need to speak to Hawke alone.” I work hard to get the words out. All I can think about is how much I want to touch Hawke again. I’m terrified too, but right now my better judgment is buried beneath my overwhelming desire to make contact.

Destrien grunts in a typical guy way and leaves the room.

Hawke's still staring at me.

“You’re here.” His voice is so quiet. Reverent almost.

Doubt pushes at me from all sides, though. I have so many unanswered questions. “I really wish someone would explain to me what’s going on. Why everyone is suspicious of Queen Nimue. Why I saw you when I touched that door in the cave. Why Kellan doesn’t think I’m human.”

His reaction is immediate, eyebrows arching in surprise or perhaps concern at my barrage of questions. “Because you have magick. No human possesses magick and certainly not magick such as yours.”

He steps closer, and the air between us seems to charge with energy. “May I?” He gestures toward my hand.

I reach out and put my hand in his. The moment we touch, a shiver runs through me. It's not cold—it's like my body recognizes him. A warmth spreads through me, and touching him just feels... right. Like every moment of my life has been leading to this. Like this is exactly where I'm supposed to be.

“You feel it, too? When we touch.” I whisper, barely daring to breathe, afraid to break the spell woven around us. I don’t ever want him to let go of me.

“Yes.” His voice is a mere breath against my skin, sending ripples of anticipation through me.

“It’s—” I start, but I don’t know how to explain it.

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