Page 100 of Beneath the Flames
Easier said than done.
Then, of course, Carrow’s sinister words floated through my mind, promising to send me home if I purposely failedthese tasks.Even now, the offer was so tempting.I wanted to go home, more than anything, and I desperately wanted to know if my family was all right.
But my feelings for Rhydian had grown to a point that I couldn’t ignore them…and I couldn’t stand the thought of abandoning him, of failing to break the curse.
I wracked my brain, making sure I hadn’t unintentionally sabotaged the chances of the seed growing.I was certain that I had done everything to the best of my ability.All the tricks and secrets I had learned throughout my life growing up on a farm.If anyone could get the seed to grow, it should have been me.
So then why wasn’t anything happening?
I had gained endless amounts of patience through the years, facing my father’s wrath and learning to be content staying at home to protect my family rather than leaving Minnesota behind and never looking back
But with so much at stake now, my patience was dwindling.
Lightly touching the soil with my finger, I tested to make sure it was wet enough.I was certain I had watered it plenty, but at this point I was at a loss for what more to do and was desperate to keep busy.
Plenty moist,I thought to myself, brushing the dirt from my fingers and pushing to stand.I needed to get out of here.My eyes needed a break from staring at the soil, waiting for a hint of green to erupt, and my back needed a break from being curled over the pot.
A gasp slid through my lips, heart hammering in my chest, as I turned to find Rhydian next to the door.Watching me.
Feeling out of breath, I put a hand to my chest.“What are you doing?You scared me.”
I refused to give into the surge of happiness I felt at thesight of him, especially since he had been so rude yesterday.All I’d done was try to ask him questions about himself, to learnsomethingabout him, but he’d gone right back to being a cold, unfeeling jerk.I didn’t understand the sudden switch, especially when he was finally starting to show me a different side of himself.A caring side.One that I was slowly starting to fall for, much to my chagrin.
Rhydian’s eyes glowed in the dim light, his lips twisting into that frustrating smirk.
“I was waiting for you to finish…”—he gestured at the bucket—“whatever you were doing.”
I crossed my arms over my chest.“I was making sure it had enough water.”
“You watered it this morning.”
I blinked, unaware that he had been watching my tending so closely.
“Yes, well…” I was at a loss for words.“Do you always stand in the dark watching me?”
Rhydian pushed off the wall and slowly walked toward me, and my heart jumped in my throat.The way he stalked forward was like a predator sneaking toward its prey.Slow, steady, methodical.
He stopped inches from me, those gold-ringed eyes boring down into mine.
“I never used to,” he rumbled, voice whisper-soft.“But lately, I can’t seem to stay away.”
My mouth went dry, and it became difficult to swallow.The inches between us shrank as he moved impossibly closer.
“Why’s that?”I breathed, needing to understand what was happening between us right now, especially when he had been so closed off to me yesterday.
Rhydian’s fingers skimmed mine, as if he wanted to takehold of my hand but couldn’t quite make himself do it.It was the lightest brush of a touch and yet heat engulfed my arm, my body.I suddenly needed his touch like the seed behind me needed water.
His lips opened, then closed, as though trying to find the right words.My breath quivered between my lips, but not in fear.Weeks ago, when he first brought me here, I might have been deeply afraid in this scenario.But now…there was something pulling us together, a tug, a tether,somethingcausing us to lean into each other.
The toes of our shoes touched.His fingers skimmed mine again, his breath warming the air between us.He smelled like winter—cool air and pine.It was heady, rich.
Rhydian’s face grew closer to mine and I instinctually closed my eyes.Was he going to kiss me?Once, I might have detested the idea, but now…
“I’m sorry I was rude yesterday.It had nothing to do with you.”
My eyes fluttered back open, surprised.That was the second time the Prince of Eroth had apologized to me.I was at a loss for words.Thankfully, that didn’t stop him from continuing.He leaned closer.
“Why can’t I stay away from you?”he asked, repeating my question.His breath warmed my lips, and I found myself desperate to know what they tasted like.He considered for a moment, the tip of his nose just barely grazing mine.The breath caught in my throat, and I felt lightheaded and heavy all at the same time.
