Page 88 of Crownless King

“Ale?” I silently begged he’d refuse and send me on my merry way.

But he lifted his stein to me. “Yes, please.”

I leaned around his shoulder, mindful not to touch him in any way. But I couldn’t avoid his scent invading my nostrils.

My gaze traveled up his shoulder to his neck, to that spot just above his collar. I knew exactly how his skin would feel there if I pressed my nose to it. I knew the scent of him would be stronger there—warmer. I knew the ends of his hair would tickle the side of my face, forcing me to close my eyes and smile.

I knew I would enjoy every moment of that if only I dared come this close to him ever again.

“Is something wrong?” He glanced up at me.

Our eyes met for just a fraction of a moment before I blinked and quickly moved my gaze away.

Voron.

He wasn’t the king back when I first met him or when I fell in love with him. But that was the reason Ihadto think of him as the king now. As someone unapproachable and unattainable. A stranger.

“Nothing is wrong, Your Majesty.” I focused on pouring the ale into his stein without spilling, then promptly retreated away from the table.

I felt his gaze follow me all the way back to the fireplace. The skin on my back tingled under my dress. The fine hairs on my nape stood on end.

“Can you serve the dessert when they’re done, please?” I tossed to Bavius over my shoulder, rushing to the door. “It’s just the pies on those plates. I’ll be right back.”

I didn’t look back to see how he took my request and whether he was complying. I needed to put a physical wall between Voron and myself. I had to clear my lungs from his scent and my head from the fantasies about him.

I had to get away for a few seconds.

Running through the door, I stomped out onto the patio, then leaned against the wall next to the door frame, catching my breath.

My heart was pounding. My head was spinning. I was falling apart and the only thing that could keep all my pieces together was having his arms around me. The arms of the man who had caused it all.

The door to the house suddenly opened, and a man walked out. He stopped at the end of the patio, looking out into the yard.

Even from the back, I recognized him immediately.

“Is something wrong, Your Majesty?” I echoed the question he’d asked me earlier.

He jerked his head my way, spotted me in the shadows by the wall, and gave me the same answer I’d given him. “No. Nothing is wrong.”

We both lied so well.

I remained by the wall, wondering if he would notice if I slipped back into the house behind him. I’d come out here to get away from him. His presence now negated my efforts.

He was looking out into the yard again, his back turned to me—a dark silhouette against the gray sky. I peeled myself from the wall, making a tiny move to sneak back inside.

“It’s peaceful here,” he said with a deep breath in.

His voice halted me in my tracks.

“Yes,” I replied. “Very quiet.”

“How long have you been here?”

“Just under a year and a half. Give or take.”

He turned to face me again. “What’s your name?”

The only name I had was the one he gave me. I couldn’t tell it to him without blowing my cover.

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