Page 168 of Swords of Soul and Shadow
“I don’t know if you know this, but you’re quite stubborn.”
Hallie narrowed her eyes. “I’m notthatstubborn.”
“You are, and that’s why I saved it for you. I knew you’d be back. And I knew you’d throttle me for taking the last caramel.”
“You act like being stubborn is a bad thing.”
“I would never say that.” Kase had the audacity to look appalled by her accusation, though the twinkle in his eyes lessened the effect.
“You implied it.”
“Well, if you weren’t, you’d be out a delicious caramel now, wouldn’t you?”
Hallie let out a small huff before shaking her head and reaching out to take the candy. “Fine.”
She inspected the wrapper. The blue color had faded where it’d crinkled, though it still shone with the same shade as his eyes. It brought back the memory of the trapper cabin with Kase, what he’d said to her there…that it didn’t matter who her ancestors were, only that she was Hallie Walker: intelligent, spirited, and stubborn as the stars.
“I’m sorry, Hals. I should’ve told you about Lavinia.” His voice was soft. “And I shouldn’t have started the fight. I lost my temper, but I won’t apologize for defending you.” He paused. “But Niels…I’ll apologize for that. I overreacted.”
Hallie didn’t look up, only used the edge of her fingernail to open the candy wrapper slightly. Heat crept into her cheeks, into her core.
He took a deep breath. “I don’t know if you knew this, either, but I was a little bit of a stars-idiot before I stumbled into your bookshop. Still am sometimes. Ask Jove.” Hesitantly, he reached over and took her hand. He rubbed his thumb across her knuckles. “I’ve learned that I must live with the past, and despite the fact I want to go pummel an unconscious Niels for making a move on you, I understand your need for closure. I’ve never been good at getting that, so I can’t fault you for it.”
Hallie only stared at their hands, her jumbled emotions making it impossible to figure out how she ought to react. Because he was right. She knew Kase was the one she wanted,not Niels. If Niels hadn’t kissed her, she might never have known with such certainty.
“We both have pasts, and I’ve made more mistakes than I can count, but…” Kase laced his fingers through hers. She didn’t stop him, and her heart picked up speed. “What you need to know now is that I love you, and I’ve…well…I’ve never, er, I’ve never told anyone that before.” The places where their palms and fingers touched tingled almost painfully. He squeezed her hand. “You’re the first.”
How did she follow a speech like that? What had she done to deserve such a perfect confession?
But the little voice in her head wasn’t to be deterred. It couldn’t accept the words at face value; it needed logic. It needed proof. “But how do I know you’re not justsayingthat?”
Kase blinked, looking perplexed. “Why would I just be saying that?”
“I don’t know, because we’re being pulled into some ancient war that could potentially spell death and destruction for all mankind?”
Kase hooked a finger underneath her chin. He was closer now, and she had trouble concentrating on their conversation and her anger and any arguments she had earlier. All she could think about was just how close his lips were to her own. At that moment, all her reservations vanished.
He grinned her favorite grin, the one where if she’d been standing, her knees might’ve given out. He murmured his next words so close, they danced across her lips. “We could be sitting in a library reading books, with nothing to bother us but the proper use of dinner forks, and I would still love you. And if you’ll let me, I’ll prove it.”
Hallie held her breath as his lips teased hers, waiting for her to say yes. Part of her still wanted to push him away, towallow in her hurt, but she couldn’t. Because despite everything he’d done, she still wanted him.
“I…I…” Stars in heaven. She couldn’t think.
Kase’s smug grin widened further, knowing the exact effect he had on her. Oh stars, Hallie’s entire body was about to combust right then and there. Every single last nerve tingled as if it’d been sprinkled with the brightest stardust. No matter how hard she fought it, even if they never found the peace they deserved, she was his, and he was hers.
A sparking sound exploded around them. Kase and Hallie sprang apart, looking for the source. It sounded just like an electrobolt firing, but many Yalvs laughed and cheered as the odd bonfire burned brighter.
Stars. At least they didn’t bump heads that time.
“Yreava!” a few Yalvs shouted, continuing to dance. The frozen fiddler, also caught off guard, shook his head and started his tune again in sync with his Yalven counterpart.
“What did they say?” Kase asked.
Hallie unwrapped her caramel and popped it into her mouth. “Bless the day. Tonight’s celebration is for Toro’s victory over Jagamot the first time.”
“Well, it’s not been a terrible day, I guess.” Kase said, standing and stretching. “Seems like it’ll end well.”
Hallie swallowed her candy and stood. Maybe she could wait to analyze their conversation later and determine what her next steps would be. She didn’t think everything was ending in the next few hours. She could decide what to do about Kase tomorrow. For tonight, she could pretend it was all fine in the world. “Let’s dance, Master Pilot.”
