Page 48 of Crown of Slumber

She exhaled in exasperation. Even in the darkness, I could make out a faint blush creeping into her cheeks.

“We’re sharing a room,” I said slowly. “Everyone will presume we’ll be engaging in… certain activities. I’m not asking you to do anything with me tonight. Despite what you might think of me, Iama gentleman, and I would never try to coerce someone who wasn’t willing. We both need the rest. This will be completely innocent. I swear it.”

She hesitated, her lips pressing together tightly. After a long moment, she said softly, “Very well.”

I scooted farther until I was curled up on the edge of the bed. The mattress dipped as Aurelia sank onto it, still rolled up in her blanket. She positioned herself on the very edge, lying on her back and staring at the ceiling. The bed was so large that we didn’t even touch. I inched closer to the middle.

She stiffened. “What are you doing?”

“Ensuring I don’t fall off the edge in my sleep.”

She nodded, but her form didn’t relax. I looked her over, noting the set of her jaw and the way her arms were tucked tightly against her chest.

“You know I would never hurt you, right?” I asked. Something twisted in my gut at the sight of her like this, and I couldn’t bear it. This fierce, stubborn, infuriating princess seemed as helpless as a child right now.

She licked her lips. “I don’t know you, Fenn. So, no, I don’t know that.”

“I swore in a bargain.”

“Yes, well, that wouldn’t stop you from trying, would it?”

“Trying to hurt you?”

“Trying to…” She trailed off, her mouth clamping shut.

A knot formed in my throat. Oh, gods. “Aurelia, did someone?—”

“Good night, Fenn.”

“Aurelia.”

Her head whipped toward me, her eyes blazing. “I said good night. We don’t know each other. And I sure as hell don’t owe you any explanations. Now stop talking so I can fall asleep.”

Well then. The feisty princess had returned. In truth, it was a relief to see her like this because she seemed more like herself when she was angry with me.

“Did you know we have a glowing river in the Star Court?” I asked.

Aurelia’s brows furrowed. “What?” Her tone was still clipped.

“It’s called the Celestial River. It glows because over centuries, stardust has collected at the bottom. We’ve harvested much of it, but over the years, the substance has embedded itself in the rocks and soil within the ground.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because the waterfall you took me to?—”

“Kellen Falls.”

“Yes, that place. I felt a sense of peace while I was there. Something I’ve only ever felt next to the Celestial River. I thought it was a connection between me and the land.Myland. The home of my blood and my ancestors. It felt right to be bonded to the place of my heritage. But when I saw that waterfall, the river surrounding it, the canopy of trees, and the mountain… Well, it startled me how much it felt like home. Even though your court is completely different from mine.”

Aurelia was silent for a long moment, but I noted that her shoulders had relaxed and her breathing had slowed. After a long moment, she said, “Maybe you are just very fond of rivers.”

I laughed. “Maybe. But I wonder if you’ll feel something similar when you see the Celestial River.”

Her eyes turned contemplative, her gaze still fixed on the ceiling. “It does sound rather incredible,” she admitted. “A glowing river, I mean. I’ll bet it looks even more enchanting at night with all the stars.”

“Why do you think we have a weekly celebration? It’s ouropportunity to express our love and gratitude for the land the gods have given us.”

She took a deep breath. “We don’t have anything like that.”

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