Page 38 of The Curse of a Kingdom
“Because you trespassed when you arrived here, and the king doesn’t trust you.”
Well, duh, the king didn’t trust her because she was sure he knew she had been there the night they’d kidnapped him.
She wrapped her hands tightly around the terrace’s balusters. “Well, for someone who just claimed I wasn’t a prisoner when your guard almost killed me, you sure treat me like one.”
Arkimedes hovered closer and his body brushed hers, his energy a mist of cool air against her heated skin. “Don’t fool yourself. I did that because you are to be Devon’s bride.”
Nava raised a brow, feeling the wave of dangerous fire churn between them. “In that case, can I at least move next to my fiancé? I sure would love to spend some time with him.”
Arkimedes held the railing so tightly his knuckles turned white. Nava was sure it would explode under the pressure of his power at any moment. “You are to stay here, where I can keep my eyes on you.”
“One would think you are jealous of your brother, sir.”
“Don’t flatter yourself.” His eyes dropped to her lips.
The swarming heat that took over her body left her breathless, and she pulled away. Being so close strengthened his emotions within her, and she didn’t need to feel his jealousy when he was so clearly trying to be an asshole. “Speaking of, when will I see Devon?”
A fake smile appeared on his handsome features. “Are you going to stay out of trouble if you do?”
“Is that what betrothed people do?” Her words came out harsher than she’d intended them.
His nostrils flared. “Good girls do."
"Who says I'm good?"
A wave of burning desire that was all him had her blood boiling. She gulped at his darkening gaze. "No, I supposed you mustn't be." He brought his hand to her face but stopped himself short of touching her. "My name is Orion. Use it.”
“I’d rather not, Your Highness.” She curtsied, and his expression morphed. Out of annoyance or interest, she didn’t know. Maybe it was both.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
NAVA
The warm air was suffocating, clogging the lungs as she sat on a tree branch, watching the forest burn. Her hand grasped at the blackened wood, still warm to the touch even though it had stopped burning hours ago.
There was no life left in this tree—hundreds of years of memories gone. The knot in her throat became so thick she couldn't swallow. To think of the centuries of magic, life, and love lost to the shadow demons.
This was the end of whatever had been set in motion the day the gods had bound her to her other two parts. Her eyes focused on the branch she sat on, her skin bark and lichen. Long fingers that resembled sticks, and nails of iron that cut through fallen angels, fae, and demons alike. Her power lightened beneath the rough texture of her skin, and soon the burnt tree regained its luster.
What they had burned became alive with her touch. The tree creaked under her, and the ash and soot that covered it fell to the ground. Her body weakened as the tree greedily took all she offered. Soon, leaves sprouted out of the dead branches. Moss regained its emerald-green color.
She took her hand off the wood and her energy dwindled further, too low if she were to be attacked at that moment. There was no way they could revive an entire forest. No, not even their magic could save the tragedy of what was being lost here.
Nava woke up with a gasp. Her dreams about Ari were coming to her every night. It was the only connection she had to what was happening out there. Even though she had been asleep for hours, her body was drained and tired.
She reached for the glass of water on her nightstand, something she’d been leaving there every night to battle her parched mouth.
Nava was exhausted but buzzed with the need to be out there in the forest. Knowing her Beekeeper was hurting, alone, made staying here that much more painful. Her unsuccessful attempt to get Arkimedes to take her with him was maddening. A part of her knew she could have tried harder.
Groaning, Nava let her body flop back onto the feather-filled mattress. A commodity she’d never had before. However, in her current state, it was almost suffocating her. Her breathing was quickened as fragments of the dreams she’d been having flashed through her brain.
He didn’t trust her, didn’t love her, and that alone was heart-wrenching. Telling him they were mated and that he’d been taken from her could help matters, but he might also just send her away to live in town alone. There was no sentimental attachment, just the damn bond.
One of the options was to give him time to fall back in love with her all over again. To trust that he would with time, like he had done last year. Shehadto believe in them.
On the bright side, she’d been successful at transporting the entire day and was ready to risk it farther.
With the Zorren attacking Ari every night, she feared her time was short. She would try to get to Devon’s room tonight and figure out how to remove the bracelet from his wrist. Once he was able to do magic again, they could portal Arkimedes and her back home.
