Page 16 of What Lies Within Blood & Heirs

Still, dreams existed for a reason. And if she was never fated to be with Kaine, perhaps she could still dream. Her mind, body, and even image were used and wrecked for so long, the thought of having someone truly be all those things—or even her be those things for someone else …

Wasit truly that far-fetched?

“Do you think you have a mate?” The words escaped her before she could reconsider.

Garrik’s icy breath sent a shiver down her neck as his low voice rasped, “I think the stars are not so cruel to fate someone with me.”

There would be nothing cruel about being fated to you.Alora quickly reinforced her fiery wall inside her mind—he couldn’t hear her. How lucky someone would be to earn the love of someone so brave and honorable and selfless. Someone like him.

Yet he didn’t think he deserved it.

Shewas the one whodidn’t deserve it.

Her voice fell quiet. “Do you think there is someone out there for me?” Alora’s head bowed, sighing heavily, retracting, “Maybe not, considering I’m still betrothed to Kaine.”

Ghost stomped her hooves noticeably heavier.

Garrik stiffened. “Do you wish to remain bound to him?”

Even if she didn’t want to, by Elysian law, no matter the kingdom, a betrothal was binding as marriage unless pardoned by one of royal status. She pulled at the sudden ache in her fingertips before turning to stare into Garrik’s darkened eyes. Without any doubt, said, “I wish to be free.”

A command as urgent as inevitable death growled from his lips, “Ghost.”

Alora didn’t have any time for confusion.

Without hesitation, Ghost stopped and lowered to the forest floor, belly resting on the dirt below.

Alora’s feet touched down when Garrik slid from behind her and almost stumbled to his feet before he turned and extended a hand.

“You shouldn’t be standing,” she warned.

But he ignored her, still hovering there until she clasped his palm without another word of argument.

As if he stood on a dais in front of his rightful throne, Garrik’s chin lifted. She pictured a crown of obsidian-spiked crystals through his dirty hair. The dull silver of his eyes began to glow, locking onto her sapphires while he searched her face.

Almost as if he searched for an answer, a moment of unease rippled across his features before Garrik carefully explained, “I do not wish to cause torment from your memories. Normally, I would ask that you kneel before me.”

What is he talking about?Confusion gripped her. Alora hitched a breath as Garrik’s thumb brushed the back of her hand. And then it hit her like a damning blow.

Kneeling. The torment of my memories …

She realized what he meant. Could feel the hardened redwood boards crushed against her knees. Could picture Kaine’s polished boots. Hear the snaps and ties of his pants coming undone.

A gentle caress tingled across her mind when her jaw tensed. That touch so calming that not an ounce of fear solidified and festered.

Garrikwasn’tKaine.

Her throat tightened, swallowing down a hint of hatred and replacing it with blooming anticipation. Then, Alora stiffened, angling her head higher as if a silver crown had gracefully lowered on her head, and said, “Kneeling before you isnotthe same.”

Those silver eyes gleamed as Garrik’s palm carefully lifted. Yet she didn’t flinch, didn’t take her eyes off his even when that hand clasped her cheek. He smiled before the voice of Elysian’s highest royal blood flooded over her in one gentle, powerful phrase. “Then kneel, darling.”

It wasn’t the same.

Her knees didn’t protest the fall. Tears didn’t threaten her eyes. On that forest floor, she peered up at him with nothing but hope.

Something shimmered in his irises as he cradled her chin, the other banded across his shredded leathers, over his wounds. A strength that hadn’t been there all night rippled from his shoulders and down his arms as he opened his mouth to speak the most beautiful words she’d ever heard. “It is my greatest honor.” Nothing but elation lay in his tone as his attention flickered to the stars, then back to her. “As your royal servant, I humbly stand before you. By my authority and the Celestials as witness, I, Garrik, High Prince of Elysian, grant you freedom from the ties binding you.”

It was as if the Stars Eternal opened the skies and poured out a vitalizing rain.

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