Page 25 of Mountains of Mist and Magic

Triston packed quickly, eager to be on his way to the Sun Realm. He decided to leave his soldiers behind; the fewer people who knew about him having a fated mate, the better. If his people found out, they would—

Would be hopeful for an heir. Would see it as a positive sign for their kingdom.

He sighed, continuing to toss tunics into his trunk. It didn't matter. Esmeralda could still marry, and perhaps even have children. He knew it would be harder for his sister to find a husband with whom she could have children, but it was still possible. Just…less likely. Fated bonds were the surest way to produce offspring…

He pushed the thought out of his head, remembering the heartache when he woke up on that isolated island. The weight of loss pressed down on him as he recalled the feeling of knowing that his parents had likely perished, leaving him alone in the world, save for his sister.

Triston had vowed then and there that he would never take a wife; he would never sire any children. He would look after his kingdom, rule it with a firm and gentle hand, and then meet his makers after a life of service.

Julietta's mesmerizing eyes and golden curls didn't have any effect on him.

Tucking his trident-shaped blade into his boot, he left his trunk on the bed to be loaded up onto his horse. He walked towards the dining room, in search of Julietta. Triston briefly wondered if and what Julietta had told her mother. Kalora seemed very protective of her daughter, and Triston had a hard time believing she would allow her only heir to go on a wild goose chase to the Sun Realm to break her own fated bond.

The halls were bursting with people, so many in one place that it made Triston uneasy. He hated crowds and always felt uncomfortable among them. While he knew that these were displaced members of the Twilight Kingdom, he would be glad to leave the crowds of people far behind.

He approached the dining room and opened the door, letting out a small sigh of relief when he noticed it was nearly empty. No Kalora.

Julietta sat in the corner, focusing on her meal. She wore her hair pulled back, and he'd never noticed just how slender her neck was, or how full her lips were.

He assumed his notice of her was simply due to the slight change in her hairstyle.

That was all.

Julietta barely looked up at him, but he felt the spark and the connection between the two of them. He didn't know how she could downplay it, because every single part of him longed to go to her and kiss her. To yank her hair free and run his fingers through her curls. To feel her mouth upon his, to stroke her cheek—

“Are you going to eat something?” She finally looked up, her bright eyes meeting his own. For a second he couldn't speak, his voice lost in his own throat. Julietta looked at him expectantly, and he finally came to his senses.

“Not hungry,” he grumbled.

She didn't respond and focused on her own plate. His eyes followed her every move as she picked up a piece of moon fruit with her fork and then took a small bite. He sat down, mesmerized as he watched her swallow.

“Do you mind?”

His mind kept wandering, and he had trouble focusing on her words. “What?”

“Stop staring. Instead, you should eat something. I don't want us to have to stop as soon as we get going because you're hungry.”

Triston couldn't believe the tone of voice Julietta used with him. It was almost as if she was even more annoyed than he was about this turn of events. He grunted a response, grabbing a plate from the table. A breakfast cart was set up in the corner, and he piled the first few things he saw on his plate. Some fruit, bacon, and a sweet roll. He sat back down and started eating, trying to hurry. He was eager to be on his horse, heading towards their destination.

Julietta sipped her juice silently, and Triston felt the uneasy silence around the table. He finally looked up from his plate.

“Your mother is fine with you gallivanting off to break your bond?”

“She doesn't know.”

He wiped his mouth on a napkin. “Really?”

She nodded.

“How did you explain your upcoming absence?”

“I told her you were taking me to the Tidal Kingdom to show me around and to try and get to know each other.”

“That was smart.”

“I know.” She stood up, and he noticed that she wasn't wearing a dress. Instead, she wore a loose cream tunic with tanned leather leggings. He gulped, not prepared for the picture in front of him.

“Ready?”

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