Page 52 of Lost Starlight
“Peter, I am sorry to have made you worry.”
“But I also knewyou. I knew you cared for me enough to not just abandon me without saying a word, especially after I told you about my family.”
“Yes, thank you for trusting in my integrity.”
“Of course, I know you to be a very fine and proper lady. That is the only thing keeping those lips of yours from mine right now, you know.”
“You have kissed me before in the present company.”
“That is true, yet somehow, I do not think what I shall do to you will seem proper for anyone to observe—”
“Peter!” she said, removing herself from me and placing a hand over her heart.
I smiled. I loved making her blush just a little. Her gentility was one of the most adorable things I had ever experienced. Slightly more adorable was when she dropped allthe appropriateness, just for me, and when we were alone, I felt like the most special man in all the world.
“I am only joking. Come here, my darling, I need you.”
“Peter,” she said warily.
“Can you two stop flirting? We get it, you are in love and happy to see each other, but alas, I have no desire to see anyone look at my sister in the way you are looking at her right now. And I cannot lay hands on a prince.”
“Michael!” Gwen gaped.
I chuckled.
“I can wait till we have better cover and privacy.”
“Thank the Ancients,” Michael said.
We walked in silence for a few moments. Gwen was a few feet away from me, but still at my side. I moved closer, playfully letting our fingers brush each other’s until I took her hand in mine.
Once we finally arrived at the lagoon, everyone wanted to stop and look at the gems glowing in the water. The sun was beginning to set, and I wanted some time with Gwen.
“We will be back in a few,” I called to Dominick.
“Okay, we will rest and then make the rest of the way to the lost boys’ camp when you return?”
“Yes, and if I do not return, the pixies and lost boys can lead you to it through their cave, or you can go around this waterfall for a bit, and you’ll run right into it.”
“Do not return?” Michael asked. “I am aware that you are the prince of mykingdom—”
“I will not dishonor her. Even if I tried, she would slap me—would you not, Gwen?” I turned to her. She just stood there in shock.
“I would never allow him to!” she said, looking at Michael.
Michael and I laughed.
“See you, Your Highness,” Micheal said before walking to the edge of the gem-filled lagoon.
“Peter, I am not sure this is proper.”
“Of course, it is not,” I said, pleased to hear her gasp. I took her hand and pulled her to me. “I deeply desire to show you something. Please, will you—can you—trust me, darling Gwen?” I asked, tucking a wayward strand of hair behind her ear.
“I trust you, Peter.”
She squeezed my hand tighter, and I motioned for her to walk beside me. Finally, we would be alone. Finally, I could tell her all I had kept inside and, hopefully, kiss her to my heart’s content.
Gwendolyn
