Page 75 of Blooms of Darkness

Even if I couldn’t put my finger on it, something aboutthisshirtless man put all others to shame.

My heart quickened at the sight, palms sweating as I couldn’t take my eyes off his incredible physique. I refused to even breathe, too afraid of being caught.

He twisted slightly, and I froze. He moved, only to dunk back under the water. I took the opportunity while he remained submerged to run back toward camp, losing a few raspberriesalong the way. Better to lose a few berries than be caught staring at a shirtless Kade.

Less than an hour later, I’d reined in my uncontrollable lust from seeing Kade’s body in the water. It helped that he took his time returning. I remained quieter than usual, observing, instead of interacting, in hopes I didn't do or say something idiotic.

Working to control my thoughts allowed me to instead think about where I stood. Away from the palace. Away from the gilded cage, which locked me up for so long. The thought of spending the night beneath the stars was more than I could ever wish for. Like so many times before, peace settled over my body when I lay beneath them. A feeling of home, like the night sky called to my soul.

As a child, I would sneak into my gardens at night and fall asleep next to the statue of my father. Ruppert would begrudgingly bring me back to my room once the hourly guard went by for his normal rounds and found me. He never asked me to stop, though, likely a request from my father.

Storm easily ignited the fire for us with his magic as Kade brought out the venison stew and crusty bread Leif had so kindly left with us before he and Corbin returned to Ellevail.

We were all quiet as we completed our respective tasks. Despite the fact we hadn’t known Storm and Kade for very long, and had decided to trust them for even less, we worked together as if we had been companions for years.

I glanced at Kade while I finished organizing the berries I’d gathered, and he appeared strained, his body tense, as though he fought an internal battle of some sort. I tried to not be so obvious, but I couldn’t look away. The normally composed Fae tried to hide his pain under the surface. However, if anyone bothered to look closely enough, it would be clear.

The dark expression on his face disappeared, and he returned to his normal demeanor before I had a chance to check on him. He wasn’t the only one who tried to hide from his demons, because I did the same thing. I’d been doing it my whole life. Hiding truths one couldn’t outwardly share, pushing down those lingering emotions into a sacred box of untold truths.

Storm whispered in his ear. Kade nodded once, but Storm remained by his side. Something was wrong with him, or perhaps memories haunted him like they did me. Either way, the exchange served as a stark reminder that I didn’t know him very well. He had secrets. Just like I did.

The fire blazed, warming the small campsite by the time we finally sat around it. Despite it being summer, the nights were cool. A three-stick crane held our stew over the fire, and it gave off a hearty aroma. Stirring the meal, Ian said, “A few more minutes and this should be ready.”

My stomach grumbled, betraying my hunger. The grumbling of my companions' bellies also seemed to reverberate in our small camp.

Ian served the portions of venison stew to the three of us before taking a bowl for himself. We eagerly inhaled the hearty dinner. Chunks of meat, carrots, and potatoes filled our empty bellies.

“How do you two know each other so well?” Storm asked, finally speaking. “You seem to have a relationship much closer than just being the princess’s personal guard.”

Kade barely moved, except for a wisp of his hair fluttering in the breeze, but I noticed his gaze flick between Ian and me.

Ian and I stared at each other for a moment, and I waved at Ian to answer the question. How much of his story he wished to share was up to him.

“My father was the king’s personal guard,” Ian answered. “We grew up together.”

I smiled softly at him, but his face remained tight. Ian didn’t speak of his past often, so his response remained vague, whether it be from the question itself or our company. Perhaps even both. Ian couldn’t relax and likely wouldn’t until we returned to the palace, even if he attempted to appear settled beside the fire.

“It’s hard to not be close when we have spent almost every day together since we were so little. A friendship I truly cherish,” I replied, hoping Ian understood I appreciated him and everything he had done for me.

“That friendship is not enough to earn the princess’s hand without the show of a trial?” Kade asked bluntly, his eyebrow cocked.

Storm rolled his eyes dramatically and barely contained his sigh of indignation.

A flash of irritation hit me as I stared at him. “Ian has nothing to prove to my father, or anyone in this kingdom, and especially not to me. He’s one of the best captains Brookmere has ever seen.”

I didn’t take my eyes off Kade, waiting for the next snarky comment he planned to offer.

“My job is to protect Lana in all things. Even the marriage trials.” Ian stared at the flames, not bothering to glance up, clearly troubled by the direction of this conversation. If I had to be honest with myself, I didn’t quite know how to respond, either.

Kade raised his hands up defensively. “I don’t mean to pry.”

“Yes, you do,” I said.

He rubbed his hands together, lowering the tone of his voice to be as seductive as possible. “I’m merely curious if I’m the only one the princess is kissing in palace corridors. One can never be too sure of the competition.”

I let out a dry laugh. “If you think for one moment you can act like a mongrel, pissing on your territory to claim it, think again, Kade Blackthorn.”

“Why the trials at all if your childhood friend is willing to be King beside you?”

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