Page 49 of Reign of Betrayal

“Come. I will walk you back inside,” he says.

The silence that follows is filled with unspoken words, yet it doesn’t feel uncomfortable. His presence beside me raises questions I’m not sure I want to answer. A familiar sensation prickles at the back of my neck—his gaze lingering on me. Turning, I find his green eyes focused intently.

I scrunch my face. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Like what, Reckless?” His lips curl up seductively. “I think the real question you should ask is when are my eyesnoton you.”

A slow smile tugs at my lips, but words fail me. Instead, I avert my gaze, unsure how to respond, letting his confession settle over me.

When we reach my door, I remove his cloak and hand it back. Our fingers brush, and his warm touch sends an unexpected jolt up my spine. As he turns to leave, a question burns in my mind.

I call out. “Prince Lukene, were you there during the first trials?” I am sure I was hallucinating, but I have to know for certain.

He pauses, looking back with an expression I can’t quite read. “I was in Wemdrah. Why?” His brow furrows slightly.

“Are you sure? I could have sworn I saw you. You didn’t bandage me up?”

He moves closer until he’s right in front of me, our bodies nearly touching. My heart hammers away at the way he looks at me. His gaze locks on mine with such a heated intensity.

“I am sure, Reckless. No one can interfere with the trials—not even a prince. It’s nice to know that you daydream about me though.” He smiles that irritatingly handsome side smile. His black hair is tousled from the wind, and his green eyes are burning into mine, while his voice is low and husky. He is breathtakingly handsome… and dangerous. I need to keep reminding myself, while I ignore the fire he ignites within my core.

“I wasn’t daydreaming!” I snap, cinching my brows together. “I was bitten by an Arachnar. It must have been the venom causing me to hallucinate about you… my enemy.” I back up until my shoulders press against the door, fingers fumbling for the handle as I meet his gaze.

He steps closer, placing one hand on the door, caging me in on the one side. My breath catches in my throat. I can’t breathe with his dark seductiveness, the very essence of him, smothering me in the best way.

“It’s nice to know that even with venom coursing through your veins, I’m still on your mind enough to fantasize about me. I’m glad to know my thoughts aren’t the only ones being plagued by their…enemy.” He smiles widely with a low chuckle and leans in closer. I think he might kiss me… The side of his face brushes against mine, and he whispers in a low, gruff voice, “Rest up. We resume training tomorrow.” Then, he opens my door and motions for me to go in. Sweat laces my hairline and my legs are shaky as my mouth becomes unbearably dry.

With that, he turns and walks away. I step into my room, but his voice stops me.

“Reign.” He says my name as if it’s both a question and an answer, like every bit of restraint he has is about to snap.

I turn back to the prince, who is now halfway down the corridor.

“I’m no one’s savior, Reign. I’m their damnation. It’s best you remember that.” His green eyes burn into my soul with a final smoldering look. There is such ambivalence in his stare. But with his final words, he walks off, vanishing down the hall.

I close the door behind me, leaning against it for a moment to calm my racing heart. The open window filters crisp, cool air into the room. It’s refreshing against my heated skin.

Fatigue beginsto seep into my body. You would think sleeping for four days would be enough rest. I decide to lay in bed for a bit and just think about everything that has happened. Keeping my mind busy is what I need right now. I wish I had gotten a book earlier.

I think over the trials and how I lost Larah. Visions of her lifeless, golden eyes and cold, rigid body haunt my memory. The more I try to sweep them into the corners of my mind, the more they drown me—pushing me under all the memories we had together, reminding me of what I truly lost. I’d give anything to talk to her, just one more time. A lonely tear leaves my eye, its salt burning my face. Maybe I should return to the library. Half the day is gone, and I have no idea what I will do until dinner time. I don’t feel like moving. But I don’t want to think of Larah, or the trials, or how I could possibly lose Elm.

Elm and I need to talk about our revenge plan. Maybe we should only target Vanna. I no longer want to kill all the royals—just her. Lilyana and Lukene don’t deserve to die. We could find a way to eliminate Vanna without raising suspicion. But even that thought is exhausting. Frustrated, I flip to my side, adjusting my pillow as my hair spills over my face.

Notes of wood and leather linger on my lavender strands from Lukene’s cloak, making me think of him. Closing my eyes, I breath in deeply, inhaling his scent. His subtle acts of kindness resurface in my mind. True, he shielded me from Jake in the library, but as an overseer of the trial participants, that is merely part of his duty. Yet, he isn’t obligated to guide me through the gardens or to share that cherished childhood memory that clearly haunts him. Nor did he have to offer me his cloak for my own comfort when I was kissed by the crisp fall air.

Could he be interested in me? No, definitely not. Maybe he wants to bed me, but that would be all. I let out a sigh of frustration. Why am I even pondering his motives? He’s royalty, untouchable, and I am—nothing. I am just a prisoner from the Drifts. He made it very clear he wouldn’t tarnish himself with trash from the Drifts or the Hollows. Yet, sometimes the way he looks at me is such a contradiction to his words.

Those mesmerizing green eyes hide depths as mysterious as the Shadowed Forest. He remains an enigma. I’ve never craved anyone’s affection, but I crave his. I’ve never wanted to explore a dangerous territory until I look at his sensual mouth…

I know I need to stop thinking of him, but for right now I’ll allow myself to. I’ll go back to hating him tomorrow.

* * *

I startle awake.I must have drifted off unexpectedly. Stretching my arms above my head, a loud yawn escapes me, and I proceed to sit up. My window is now shut, and a fire roars in the hearth, casting a warm, somber glow across my chamber. The room feels peaceful, with a hint of a familiar floral aroma in the air that wasn’t there before. On my bedside table sits a dinner tray and a vase of fresh lavender, immediately bringing thoughts of my father to mind. I must have slept through dinner, and Sasha likely brought the tray and flowers.

Next to the tray sits the very book I had been eyeing in the library. How did Sasha know I was interested in this one? I don’t care how she knew; I’m just grateful to have it. Opening to the page I left off, I dive into the book while hungrily inhaling my meal.

* * *

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