Page 27 of The Time Of Queens

“Ride with me, tomorrow?” he asked quickly, making me gasp and try to break from being so close to him. But with nowhere to go, I ended up bumping into the stable door.

“I couldn’t,” I protested with a shake of my head.

“Then you force me to use my position as Lord of this house and command it of you…ride with me.”

I swallowed hard but before I could reply, another Draven arrived. Oh, and this one was the only Draven who didn’t look happy to see me. However, his name far too easily slipped from my lips with a familiarity only reserved for family.

“Vincent.”

I quickly coughed to try and disguise my slip up, at the same time spinning out of Draven’s hold and tripping up over a bucket, making it tip over and roll away. Great, smooth as ever, Keira. I thankfully saved myself by gripping onto the stall, one Samson didn’t bother minding with now that he knew my presence came with sugar.

“Careful, there is um… a bucket there,” I said, stating the obvious in my embarrassment.

Both men looked at me curiously, with only one of them seeming to be holding himself back from reach out for me. As for Vincent, his gaze turned sceptical, and he raise a brow in my direction.

“I thought to come in search of you, brother, for dinner is to be served and our guests are getting concerned about their host,” Vincent said, first looking to his brother and then casting accusing eyes on me. Something Draven didn’t like that much, as he stepped in front of me and hid me from Vincent’s dark gaze. Seriously, could I not just go back in time without at least one of the siblings wanting to maim me?

“I will be there momentarily,” Draven replied, all playful teasing and easiness a thing of the past. His brother looked at the ready to say more when Draven spoke first.

“I said in a moment, Vincent.” His tone was firm and was enough to have Vincent releasing a frustrated sigh before walking away with a shake of his head. As for me, I craned my neck around to watch, making Draven look down over his shoulder at me. That playful smirk back at his lips once more.

“I believe it is safe to come out,” he commented teasingly, making me straighten.

“I fear I have kept you from your company for too long, my Lord.”

He huffed at that and told me,

“I do as I please, so you keep me from nothing.”

My eyes widened, despite not being surprised by his admission, only that he felt free enough to make it.

“That may be so, but being Lord of this estate means you are bound by your rank in society,” I said, reminding him of the same words he had used earlier.

“And what of you, Miss Williams? Do you also feel bound to your social standing?”

I startled and took a little step back, before confessing in a small voice,

“Each of us are in some way bound to our fate.”

He looked even more surprised, and I realised I had said too much. So, I turned quickly and said,

“I must leave now.”

He stopped me just like he had earlier, but this time I couldn’t look at him as he stepped closer.

“Ride with me tomorrow,” he softly commanded.

I finally braved raising my gaze to his, and that same connection now burned ever brightly. I found it impossible to deny him, quickly nodding my head in acceptance. The relief washed over his features and truthfully…the sight caressed my soul.

“Until tomorrow then,” he confirmed, forcing me to clear my throat enough to say,

“Till tomorrow, my Lord.” I bowed my head to him and willed my body to move and walk away, forcing him to let me go. His fingers did what they had always done, which was to tighten for half a second. This before I gave him no choice but to let me slip free. I quickened my steps, refusing to look back. I wouldn’t look back. I shouldn’t look back.

I looked back.

His intense gaze still watched me, and there in the soft glow of candlelight was the barest flicker of purple in his eyes.

Eyes that I knew would easily be…

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