Page 72 of The Enemy's Daughter

“At least, not today,” I add.

He turns around.

“I didn’t know.” Emotion twists my voice. “I didn’t know that we’ve been blaming Kingsland for something they didn’t do. Or that you’ve tried to make peace by giving us supplies. I didn’t know, but now I do, and it changes everything. Annette only gave you those papers because I didn’t show up to leave. I’m still here because I believe you, and I want to stay. No more betrothal to Liam. I won’t unite the clans against Kingsland.”

His face is still a picture of heartbreak. I swallow hard. “But I understand I’ve broken your trust. So I won’t blame you if youcan’t do this—be with me anymore.”

Tristan’s hands twitch at his sides. And then he’s marching back. I hold my breath as he invades my space. His hot hands cup my cheeks. “The only thing Ican’tdo anymore is get closer to you and let you own more and more of me if this isn’t what you want.”

I cling to him as the wall he’s built in the connection explodes like a river rock burned in a fire. Instantly, I’m overwhelmed with his desperation and something that can only be described as love.

My hands fist in his shirt as I pull him to me. “I want this, Tristan.” I pause, letting the truth of my words sink in, then I kiss him. I kiss him like he holds my next breath.

Because I have never wanted anything more.

24

My sleep is fitful and packed with flashes of a clan war and Annette’s hateful glare.

It also doesn’t help that my back hurts. I stretch, arching my spine, and press into something warm. My lips pull into a slow, languorous smile—Tristan.

We fell asleep on the couch.

My eyes open with a blink. The sun is a pink and orange haze that barely touches the sky, but it’s rising fast. I snuggle into the cocoon of Tristan’s body, and he responds by tightening his arm around my stomach. It stokes the connection, and I release a little gasp of pleasure as I fall into the wonder of him, the edges of our minds blurring and blending together.

He’s awake.

“Is that going to happen every morning?” I ask, marveling at how I can simultaneously sense the discomfort in his shoulder from lying on it, while also feeling on the inside that he’s smiling.

Tristan’s chest rises and falls against my back. “I hope so.”

I spin in his arms and hug him tightly, my head tuckingperfectly into his neck. “I hope so too.”

But my happiness is pierced by a thorn of sadness when I remember my not-so-happy dreams. Now that my decision to stay is made, the impact of what that will mean back home is sinking in. There will be consequences. For Father and the clans. The discord and power struggles the clans faced before Liam won the position as Saraf will return with no marriage to seal his succession. Father was adamant that without me and my marriage to a clan leader, the clans would face incredible instability. And although I’ve decided that saving lives is worth the strain this will put on my loved ones, I still worry for them.

How bad will it get for Freia and Mum and Percy as the clans fight over leadership and possibly fall apart? Will I ever see them again?

And Liam—does he not deserve the dignity of an explanation on why I’ve disappeared? Why I am not going home? He may have been given my hand without my permission, but he was my friend first, and I did imagine a life with him. It doesn’t feel right to simply move on and hope he does the same.

“Hey.” Tristan lifts his head, his eyes cracking open with concern. The bruises underneath them are only slight shadows now, more of a violet hue. He couldn’t be cuter, with a layer of scruff lining his jaw while light brown waves tumble around his face. “What are you thinking about?”

“I’m thinking about us”—I give a weighted sigh—“and what being together is going to cost.”

He looks thoughtful as he runs a warm hand down my back. “Well, I don’t know what it’s like back in Hanook, but in Kingsland, being married is free. It’s not going to cost us anything.”

I groan appropriately, then poke him in the side. He yelps and shifts away.

But my thoughts are too heavy to keep up the playful mood. I settle back down beside him. “You know... by choosing to stay here, I’ll be labeled a traitor back home—if they ever find out.”

“You’re not a traitor.”

My eyes close. That’s not how it’ll be perceived by the clans. And my choice could cost me my life, should they ever find a way to bring me to justice.

“You’renota traitor,” Tristan repeats, but firmer.

Maybe I wouldn’t feel so much like one if I could do more for the clans. I push up onto my elbow but take my time before speaking. “Have you... considered how bringing justice against my father could make the clans put away their differences and unite against you? Then everything I’m trying to accomplish by staying here would be for nothing.”

“Yes,” Tristan says softly. He inhales a deep breath. “It’s why I plan to ask the town council to show more patience. For now. Though... that might be difficult since I’ve been asking for the opposite, and the leadership is beyond restless.”

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