Page 33 of The Promise Born
Time and time again.
Chapter 11
MyheadrestedonAsante’s chest as I listened to his heart again. It sounded different from when he was in his dragon form. Less of a thunder pulse and more of a soft drumming. Still, the warmth of his flesh melted the ice I’d built around myself. I realized, as I inhaled the mixed scent of salty air and the musk from his body, that I no longer wanted to leave Asante. But how could I not?
“We should head back now.” Asante’s voice startled me.
“I wish we didn’t have to.” The words slipped out of my mouth before I could process the thoughts behind them. I smacked my hand over my mouth.
“Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone.” He kissed the top of my head before sitting up.
I dressed as Asante headed outside to shift into his dragon. Again, with his clothing tied to my side, I climbed onto his back and let him carry me. Even after our intimate moment, I couldn’t show him my dragon and he didn’t ask. Maybe he thought in time I would soften to the idea. We had just taken a big step. How much longer could I keep that side of myself from him?
As he carried me back to his home, it became harder to deny how much I liked him. Especially after what we had done. It wasn’t often I let anyone touch me, let alone taste me the way he had. The longing to be with him was only growing, but that feeling was echoed by a thought that made my heart ache. How could I be with him if he didn’t know everything about me?
I made it into my room without being seen, or at least without being confronted. How long would it be before the walls were whispering about the couple running away from the palace? Were they already talking about how I freaked out about meeting the king and queen of Frostspire? Did it even matter?
After cleaning myself up, I lay in the bed and stare out the window at the sky.
How did it come to this?
A few hours later, when the birds were singing their morning song, Asante returned to me. I stood fully dressed, my apron already on, ready to head to my kitchen, when a sharp knock echoed at the door.
“What are you doing?” the prince asked me when I opened my door.
“I have to work. Remember, I must bake treats for the prince.” I winked at him. “It’s the only thing I do around here.”
“Not today.” He grabbed my hand. “You’re coming with me.”
“Don’t you have things to take care of?” I laughed. “You’re a prince with important duties to tend to.”
“What could be more important than this?” Asante lifted my hand to his lips. “I can’t think of one thing.”
As I followed Asante back to the serabringer stables, I decided to confide in him completely. It felt more important to tell him everything than to keep my secret. And maybe, if I explained it all, he would understand why I couldn’t stay with him, why the weight of unspoken words had become too much to bear. I only hoped that he wouldn’t hold it against me for not telling him earlier.
Either way, I would keep it together until our deal was done. Then I would leave him, just as I promised I would.
Asante pulled the same creatures from their stables and Synth greeted me as if we were old friends. She tapped her hooves on the ground and neighed softly as she nuzzled my neck.
“She really likes you!” Asante spoke.
“You think so?” I brushed her head with my hand.
“Yes, but I get it.” Asante stepped over to me and kissed me quickly on the cheek. “I do too.”
“You’re going to love our herd. They’re of the purest breed!”
I froze at the sound of the boisterous voice. He sounded just like Asante, his voice only more tinged by the weight of time.
Please, no. Don’t let it be!Panic seized me instantly; my breath hitched, and my mind raced. Footsteps approached as I searched for a place to hide. Asante, seemingly unfazed by my rising panic, continued on grooming the serabringer.
“Oh, he looks for any reason to show these things off!” Queen Toci’s unmistakable voice rang out.
“I’m proud of them. They deserve the praise. Besides, I know the serabringers in Frostspire differ from the ones we have here. How long has it been since you’ve seen our breed? We should exchange notes!”
Before I could run and hide, those voices were right on top of us. And a moment after my heart fell to my stomach, Queen Toci shattered my hopes for escape.
“Asante, there you are, my son.”
