Page 120 of The King has Fallen

“No, it’s not. We’re going to make a plan. Find a way to… to ally. Or… I don’t know yet, but—” My head was spinning. My heart thudding uncomfortably in my chest. Yilan took a deep breath and both of us froze until her breathing returned to the low, slow rhythm of sleep.

“As long as Gault walks this earth, you will never be King, Melek,” Jann whispered so quietly I had to strain to hear him.

I went still, eyes snapping to his face, letting him see the warning in mine. “I don’twantto be King, Jann. I never have.”

Jannus stared, emotion and thought flickering behind his eyes too quick for me to catch. Then he broke the gaze and dropped his sullen gaze to the dirt again.

“I know,” he admitted reluctantly. “But that just means we’re all fucked. So you better enjoy her while you can.”

I wanted to protest, but I was very, very afraid that he was right.

42. Promise Me

~ YILAN ~

It was easier for us to sneak out this time. The guards we passed were drinking and trying to hide it from anyone who might see, so they were more concerned with watching the camp than the nearby trees and shadows.

Melek took me to the lake again, but farther away from the camp this time, so we were less likely to be interrupted by rebellious young Neph.

When we finally broke through the trees, the sight took my breath away. We stood on a small spit of land that extended over that lake. A large, flat boulder at its tip leaned into the shimmering water, but provided a dry platform on which to sit and view the surroundings.

There was a light breeze tonight so the water's surface shimmered and rippled, the moonlight frosting those tiny waves in white. On the other side of the lake, the forest stood guard, black peaks rising before a clear, indigo sky, freckled with stars and the glow of the waning moon.

It was exactly the kind of spot I sought out in the few hours per week I could relax back home.

When Melek had mentioned Gall liked to Be Still, my heart had swelled with understanding.

Yet, I was herenotalone. And never happier to be in that state.

Melek stood behind me for a moment when I stopped to take it in, his broad torso brushing my back, warming me. It was awkward for him, though, with our opposing hands still bound. He looped his arm over my chest, holding me to him. Then he gently placed the other hand on my shoulder.

“I find I wish for no space between us. Let's sit,” he murmured.

I nodded, swallowing hard because I felt the same but hadn't dared to speak it.

When I stepped forward he stayed close, nudging me out to the flat of the rock, then tugging me down to sit between his thighs, his arm around me, our bound hands resting together.

Once we were settled and I was caged in his embrace, I felt his breath on the back of my neck and it made my skin pebble and my heart skip. And the rest of me ache with desire.

“You are braver than me,” I said quietly.

He leaned down, nuzzling my hair. “How so?”

“You say what you feel. I feel it too,” I said, squeezing his hand. “But... there is always a part of me that shies away. Not brave enough to say it when it’s for myself. You're stronger in that way.”

He exhaled. “Or less wounded. Have you learned that speaking your feelings invites hurt? Or that they are ignored?”

I went still. Stunned.“Both.How did you know?”

He tightened his arm around me. “I watched it happen with Gall. His feelings are as blunt as his words. I watch the way people react to him. And since he can’t lie, as he's grown, his only recourse has been to remain quiet when he feels what he fears others will judge. I always know who he feels safe with because he speaks freely of how he feels with them present.”

I had a flash of a memory—Gall sitting in front of my cage, weeping. My throat pinched. “Well, then, I am touched. He trusted me with some of his feelings.”

“I know.” Melek’s voice was deep and husky. “It was part of what opened my eyes to what my heart was saying about you.”

We were both quiet for a time. I hugged his arm that was around me.

Then Melek sighed.

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