Page 12 of Golden Star

I hesitate, crossing my arms, catching the intricacy of what he said.

He doesn’t intend to hurt meright now.

It’s not the same thing as not intending to hurt meat all.

“What’s the deal?” I ask, since whether he’ll eventually want to hurt me or not, I need to hear him out.

“If you agree to stay in Presque Isle for a year, then I’ll bring you safely home,” he says, and I blink, processing his words.

“I don’t want to stay in Presque Isle,” I tell him, remembering Matt’s snide remark about how I was going to be stuck there for the rest of my life, just like he is.

“Then I guess you’ll be staying here.” He shrugs, as if it doesn’t matter to him at all. “A summer fae, in the Winter Court, surrounded by deadly creatures who will kill you simply for existing.”

I swallow hard, hating the thought of staying here, in this icy, deathtrap of a realm.

Maybe as much as I hate the idea of staying in Presque Isle for the rest of my life.

Actually, never mind. There’s no way I could hateanything as much as the idea of staying in Presque Isle for the rest of my life.

“It’s not exactly a dream vacation, is it?” he continues, apparently trying to drive his point home.

I frown, since unfortunately, I’m not well versed in “dream vacations.” My aunt hates traveling. Most people in Presque Isle rarely leave the state. Minus Zoey, but she doesn’t count. Her family’s rich.

And while the thought of not leaving Presque Isle for another year stings, I’ve already survived being stuck there for my entire life.

I suppose I can survive another year.

I sigh, crossing my arms tighter around myself as the cold bites at my skin. “Fine,” I say, hating that I’m saying it, but unsure what else to do. “I’ll agree to stay in Presque Isle for a year.”

Riven’s eyes flicker with something unreadable—satisfaction, maybe, or curiosity—and he nods. “Good.”

He extends his hand, waiting for me to shake on it.

Instead, I stare at it as if he’s going to try to slap me with it.

“Relax,” he says. “I’m not going to fling you to the ground, or push you into the stream, or do anything else that might be running through that pretty little head of yours. I just want to shake on it. Or else…” Amusement flickers across his eyes as he lets the sentence trail off.

“Or else what?” I ask.

“Or else we could seal it with a kiss.”

My eyes drop to his undeniably tempting lips, and a rush of heat spreads through me, sharp and unexpected.

I should laugh it off, or scoff at him, or roll my eyes.

Probably all three at once.

Instead, my breath catches, and for some inexplicable reason, the idea of sealing the deal with a kiss doesn’t feel like a joke. All it does is make my pulse race in a way it hasn’t since… well, ever. Not even with Matt.

His eyes gleam with amusement, but beneath them, there’s something darker. Something that tells me he doesn’t expect me to take him up on the offer.

It might be fun to surprise him. Throw him off balance.

Just like how he threw me off balance when he waved that sword in my face.

“Okay.” I straighten my shoulders, keeping my gaze locked on his. “Let’s do it.”

His amusement disappears, surprise taking its place.

---