Page 70 of Crowned

His eyes flick up to mine, blazing, dark with intent. “Tell me to stop.”

I shake my head, breathless, body trembling. “I won’t.”

Bhodi’s lips curl into a wicked smirk. “Good.”

And then he drops to his knees before me.

The gardens are quiet, the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze the only sound as I walk among the flowers. The vibrant colours and heady scents should be soothing, but my mind is too restless.

“You’ve been avoiding me,” Cove’s voice breaks the silence, and I turn to see him leaning against a tree, his arms crossed and his trademark grin firmly in place.

“I’ve been busy,” I reply, though we both know it’s a weak excuse.

He pushes off the tree and walks over to me, his grin softening into something more sincere. “You know, you’re allowed to feel scared. You don’t have to be strong all the time.”

“I don’t feel strong,” I admit, considering how his words are similar to my earlier conversation with Bhodi.

“That’s because you’ve been carrying too much on your own,” he says, his hand brushing against mine. “Let us share the load, Malia. That’s what we’re here for.”

I look up at him, his blue eyes filled with an earnestness that makes my chest ache. “Thank you, Cove.”

“Always,” he says softly, his thumb brushing lightly over my knuckles.

Cove squeezes my hand, then tugs me gently forward. “Come with me.”

I hesitate for only a second before nodding, letting him lead me through the winding paths of the garden. The scent of night-blooming jasmine lingers in the air, mingling with the crispness of the evening. His grip on my hand is warm and grounding.

We walk in comfortable silence until we reach a clearing. The trees part to reveal a stretch of open sky, the stars burning bright above us. In the centre of the clearing, a blanket is spread across the grass, a bottle of juice and two glasses resting beside it.

I arch a brow. “Did you plan this?”

Cove grins, that lazy, easy charm lighting up his face. “I had a feeling you might need a distraction.”

I exhale a quiet laugh as he tugs me down onto the blanket with him. The grass is cool beneath us, but his body is warm where our shoulders brush. He hands me a glass of juice, and I take a sip, the rich flavour rolling over my tongue.

For a moment, we just sit there, staring up at the sky. The stars stretch endlessly above us, vast and untouchable, their light older than anything I can comprehend. I should feel small beneath them, but with Cove beside me, I don’t.

“It’s beautiful,” I murmur.

Cove shifts closer, his voice softer now. “It is.”

I turn my head to find him already watching me, his blue eyes reflecting the constellations above. My breath catches.

“Tell me what you see,” he says, his gaze never leaving mine.

I look up again, letting my eyes trace the familiar patterns. “Orion’s Belt. The Pleiades. Cassiopeia.”

He hums, thoughtful. “Did you know the Pleiades are also called the Seven Sisters?”

I nod. “They were nymphs in Greek mythology. Zeus turned them into stars to protect them.”

His lips twitch. “Sounds like something I’d do.”

I roll my eyes, but I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips. “Of course you’d compare yourself to Zeus.”

He chuckles, the sound warm and low. “I’m just saying, I’d put you in the stars if I could. Keep you safe for all eternity.”

Something about the way he says it – so effortlessly, like it’s a simple truth – makes my heart stutter.

---