Page 176 of The Shadow Fae Rhapsody
An ache sprouts in my heart over that look.
“I was out looking for truffles. I saw some in the woods yesterday.” The lie comes easily, making me feel like an ass.
“Truffles?” Her eyes widen. “You should have taken me with you. I’m good at finding them.”
Red knows I’m lying, but he says nothing. I’m silently grateful for it. I was ready to throw him to the wolves and unmask his secrets to Rhianelle, but here he is keeping my secret.
“No news of the maiden of Arawynn?” the knight asks Rhianelle.
I see the small lines of disappointment creasing her features.
“We’ll get her back. Don’t worry,” he vows, taking her hand in his.
I shove the need to snap his neck deep inside when I see Nel’s face brighten with hope at his promise.
I make a mental note to myself to pay attention to the things she cares about in the future like this bastard does.
“Will you be all right?” he asks her.
My darling Nel nods in determination. “I have to.”
Red’s eyes flick to me.“I’m going to finish my patrol. Walk her back to her tent safely, will you?” he says with a smile.
I give him a curt nod. I don’t feel so bad about leaving the orc alive when I see where Red and his bag of crafty tool are headed.
Rhianelle returns the robe to one of the acolytes and runs back to me in her green sundress. I swear the temple clothing they made her wear gets more ridiculous with each ceremony.
She places her hand on my arm, making me feel happier than any man has the right to feel. “Let’s go find that truffle. I’m having it for dinner.”
Shit.
“Should you really be running about?” I ask her as we get closer to the edge of camp. “Do your ribs still hurt?”
“It’s healing well, thanks to you,” she says, her lips parting in a small smile. I am so undeserving of it after everything I did to her yesterday.
“I’m sore somewhere else,” she adds softly, barely a whisper.
It takes all of my restraint from sweeping her into my arms and kissing her.
I pause from our walk and turn to look at her.
My lovely sun. Faraway. Unattainable.
Her pure soul radiates like the stars, such a stark contrast to the darkness that resides in me.
The emotions in my chest turn volatile as I imagine her being bound to me forever. The Rhunhraefn had changed me into something worse than a monster. Something like me would only taint her, lead her down to a path of damnation.
“Are you sure I am what you want?” I suddenly ask out loud.
Fucking hell. What the fuck is wrong with me? This uncertainty is unlike me. Even if she says she doesn’t, I’ll make her want me. I’ll make her mine.
Her brows knit at the question.
“Yes, I want you,” she says it clearly. The assurance in her voice triggers an odd emotion inside me.
“Svenn, you already know this. What’s wrong?” she asks, worried.
I gaze down at her and kiss the top of her head. “Nothing, I just needed to hear it again.”
