Page 67 of If The Crown Fits
“Fine. Just for tonight.” I said.
Cai took a seat on the bed and started removing his boots. “Don’t worry, I don’t bite.” There was a hint of a smile playing on his face.
“You’ve clearly suffered major blood loss if you think you’re coming anywhere near me. I promise I will not hesitate to use my dagger.”
“I believe you.” He looked up at me innocently and the cabin fell into a heart-stopping silence as we stared at each other.
“Surely you’re not afraid.” He knew exactly what words to use to challenge me.
“Of course not.” I scoffed. “I just told you I will use my dagger.”
“That’s not what I meant.” Cai pulled off his shirt, pausing in pain when he had to lift his arms over his head.
For the mere sake of needing somewhere else to look other than Cai’s bare and ridiculously toned chest, I sat on the other side of the bed and started taking off my shoes.
“Then what did you mean?”
“I think you’re afraid you’ll enjoy sleeping next to me a little too much.”
I was relieved my back was facing him and Cai was unable to see my face.
“Very funny.” The blankets shifted behind me as Cai made himself comfortable.
I laid next to him and pulled the blanket up to my chest.
The cabin and the bed suddenly felt too small, and I was increasingly aware of the achingly little space between me and the Prince of Norrandale.
My gaze remained glued to the ceiling. Any reminiscence of tiredness was long gone.
“My men are still there.” I heard Cai’s voice through the darkness of the cabin.
“I know, Cordelia as well.” At least she had her brother to look out for her. There was no telling what Lance would do to Cai’s guards.
“I shouldn’t have left them there. I should have helped them.”
“We didn’t have a choice.” If we didn’t make a run for it, Lance might have gone as far as to kill Cai, consequences be damned. “But we have a chance of saving them now.”
“You seem very confident that we’ll be able to.”
“I can’t promise my uncle’s help. He’s not the sort of man to hand out favours for nothing in return. But he’s capable of a lot more than you think.”
Cai shifted his arm, and I felt his bare shoulder graze mine, the heat of his body warming me. The only sound in the room was our breathing, and if I listened carefully, I could hear the insects outside. It must have been the summer night, but my body suddenly felt very hot. What was Cai thinking about? Did he also notice how close we were?
My leg was still partially in pain, and I moved in an attempt to evade the discomfort.
“Are you alright?”
“It’s just my leg.” I replied softly.
“Are you pain?”
“It will go away soon.” I wasn’t sure who I was trying to convince more.
Finally, I decided to roll onto my side, facing away from Cai.
“Goodnight, Your Highness.” I whispered in a playful tone. He might have smiled at that. I would never know.
I closed my eyes and felt the blanket being pulled over my shoulder.
