Page 134 of Wings of Ash & Flame
“With those larger-than-life fae ears, don’t pretend you didn’t hear me.”
“Fine.” He glanced down at the ink trailing past both cuffs of his leathers.
“I laid my tormented and troubled past at your feet. It’s only fair you answer a trivial question about tattoos.”
“It’s not that. It’s just—no one’s ever asked me about them before.”
Her brows puckered. “Not even Caius?”
“He doesn’t count. There aren’t many others I’m… close with.”
“Ah, so the beloved, coveted prince is a lone wolf.”
“Coveted?” He arched a brow.
“Dawson,” she warned.
“Okay, fine. I get a certain”—he ran a hand through his dark hair—“level of attention. They like the idea of me. The image I present. My position. My status. But they don’t know me. It’s the little things that make a person unique. They make you who you are.”
“This is only adding to your entire heartthrob factor.”
“So, I’m a heartthrob?” He waggled his brows.
She rolled her eyes. “A smug ass is what you are.”
“Sure, sure.” He winked, stretching out to face her. His hair was damp and mussed from training, strands clinging to his forehead. A thick layer of stubble shadowed his jaw. No one had any business being this mesmerizing.
It was beyond annoying.
“And you?” he asked. “Always keeping everyone at arm’s length, never giving anyone the time of day?”
“Perfect. Exactly what I was aiming for.”
Except she had given him the time of day, against her better judgment—only to be frozen out. She’d received that message loud and clear. Safer this way. Easier. Partners. Friends.
Glee curved the corner of his mouth.
“Don’t make me ask you again. Otherwise, you’ll have to answer two of my deeply personal questions—ones not conveniently inked across your skin for the world to see.”
His smile deepened, revealing the dimple in his left cheek.
A light breeze stirred the campsite, raising the flames.
Was that Dawson?
The wind sent a wave of goosebumps down her arms.
Dawson’s gaze flicked between her mouth and the curve of her shoulder, enthralled.
Alaire swallowed hard. “Well?”
“It’s a combination of many moments strung together into one design. Over the years, I’ve added to it.”
“That’s all I get?” Her exasperation bled through.
“Yup.”
“Brutal. You give me nothing, Knox.” Before he could answer, she pressed on. “Do you have any siblings?”
