Page 31 of Enchanted Kisses
Caiden hesitated. “It’s modeled after your mother.”
I drew closer and studied the topiary. “Have you ever met her?”
“I’ve seen her a few times when she visited Earth.”
“Do I look like her?” This topiary didn’t have a face. “My dad says I do, but I wonder if he really remembers. Memory suppressing can’t be easy on the brain.”
“You look exactly like her. Same olive skin, same full lips, same big eyes.”
“Bet she’s not short.”Like a goddess could be.
“She’s a little taller. I happen to prefer your petite size, though.” He let go of my hair and moved from behind me to stand face-to-face—or rather, my face to his chest.
His appearance took me by surprise. For a second, I’d forgotten he looked different because his voice hadn’t changed, and I hadn’t been focusing on him.
“And she flinches.” He frowned again.
I hated that I was the cause of those frowns. I didn’t like when people judged me and here I was, doing the same thing to him. “I didn’t flinch,” I said, although I wasn’t certain of that.
He smirked and touched my bottom lip. “That’s some pout.”
My eyes spread wide, and my breath caught.
“It’s still me, Lily.”
He stared with an intensity that made me feel exposed. Like he could see inside me and reap the secrets of my soul. For all I knew, he could.
Nervous heat built beneath my skin, and I had to look away and distract his attention from me. I squinted up at the cloudless blue sky. “Is the weather always this nice?”
Small talk about the weather. Real smooth.
“It is, with an occasional sun shower to replenish the gardens and land.”
“Nice.” I was an idiot. Why couldn’t I just be myself around this Caiden, or this version of him?Ugh.
“You’re avoiding looking at me.”
I gazed at him, trying to see something of the old Caiden other than his eyes and hair that were similar enough. “I know. I’m sorry. It’s not anything against your appearance. You’re actually really hot.”
I glanced over his fitted tee, toned arms, and low-waisted jeans. The outfit looked so different onthisCaiden.
My comment turned his frown into a smile.
It helped me feel like less of an ass.
“Bear with me,” I said. “I’m not used to this version of you yet, and I’m nervous about being here. It’s a bad combination for me. And you looking like a gilded Burberry model doesn’t help my nervousness. Do you think you could change back to your old self? Just until we’re finished with my lessons?”
His eyes filled with hurt, and he didn’t speak for what seemed like forever. Finally, he said, “Thisismy old self.Thisis me.” He gestured to his chest. “The Caiden you knew doesn’t exist, at least not physically. And even if I wanted to don that glamour for you, I couldn’t. There’s a protective spell over the realm preventing all sentries from disguising themselves. Even as a prince, I can’t undo it for you.”
“But you’re not a prince anymore.”
“Of the Realm of Death, I’m not.”
“Are you here?” What the hell? How could I not be intimidated more by that news?
He gave my posture a once-over, making me aware that I’d stepped back and had my arms crossed defensively again.
“Let’s just focus on why you’re here,” he said.
