Page 94 of A Bond in Blood

Ulrich nodded his head, an odd distant stare in his eyes as he turned away from me and shoved on a door I hadn’t yet noticed.

“Twelve is my favorite hallway,” he said quietly.

“Why?”

“Watch.”

Cold air hit me right in the chest as he shoved the door open and then I smelled it—the sea.

The easel and pouch were on the ground before I could consider my next move, and my feet were moving at an unnatural speed.

The sand crunched beneath my shoes, and I kicked them off, gasping at the cold from the winter air. I threw my hands out, spinning under the moonlight, breathing in the smell of home.

“Gods,” I cried, placing my hand on my heart. “Oh Gods.”

The cries were unstoppable and surprising when I’d gone to the secluded beach just earlier in the day, relishing in my hour of solitude in the water. Only, I hadn’t realized another, possibly even more secluded beach was closer to me than the one across the city.

I lowered, sinking my knees into the sand, throwing my mask to the side before I dug fingers as deep as they would go.

“What is this?”

I pulled my eyes to the king, finding him unmoving and staring at me. His body rigid, his hands softly trembling at his side.

“My beach,” he muttered.

“I do not understand how your home is built,” I replied, laying back into the sand.

“You’re going to get filthy,” Ulrich said above me.

I closed my eyes, allowing my body to sink into the miniscule fragments. “I do not care.”

I wasn’t sure how long I laid on the beach. My hands were splayed out above my head and my legs out at the sides, turning my body into the same shape as the creatures lurking deep in the sea lapping at the shores a short distance from me.

Despite being lost in my peace and comfort, I was still aware of the towering body near me. Watching me. Silently.

A predator watching his prey.

Eventually I broke, not able to ignore his presence any longer.

Sand stuck to my dress and hair while I sat up, cocking my head to the side. “Why two private beaches?”

Ulrich’s gaze went to the water behind me. “Reminds me of somewhere.”

“Where?”

His response was a whisper, too quiet for me to hear. But his shoulders slumped in defeat while his mouth barely moved.

I pulled my knees to my chin, observing the king now lost in his own thoughts and memories. Wondering if perhaps I should leave to allow him privacy.

His body suddenly relaxed, his tight shoulders loosened and he offered me a smile.

“Care for a swim?” he asked.

My neck twisted while I glanced back at the sea. I wanted to, so badly my bones ached, but I did not want to be alone in thewater with him. I most definitely did not want to enter the frigid surface with only the winter gown I had on my body.

“I do not have my suit,” I replied.

“And?”

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