Page 98 of Frozen Hearts and Death Magic

He snorted. “What do you think?”

“I…” She wanted to ask if it meant he liked her for real. Funny how she’d come here without knowing, how she still wasn’t sure, but then, he kept all these secrets… “I don’t know what to think.”

“You don’t trust me yet.” There was no sadness in his eyes or voice, it sounded like a mere observation.

“It’s time we changed that, isn’t it?”

“Where were you?” he insisted, his voice urgent.

Naia stepped back and smiled. “Let’s do this: I’ll tell you what happened and you tell me your secrets.” She then added, “And we eat, ‘cause I’m starving.”

He must have seen that she was well, as his expression relaxed. “I definitely agree with eating. Under the stars again? Or do you want us to sit inside, like humans?”

“Under the stars.”

He kissed her cheek and hugged her tight. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

Naia leaned on his touch, and then he kissed her lips, softly at first, then he pulled her even closer for a deep kiss. Why was it always so magical to kiss him?

He stopped abruptly, and chuckled. “You have to stop me, or I’ll let you starve.”

“Maybe I won’t mind it.”

“No. I told you I’d take good care of you.” He kissed her briefly, then went into the house again.

Naia followed him, her heart fluttering in her chest. Soon they were sitting outside, in silence for a while, as she was busy eating. River ate too, but more slowly, as he kept his attention on her. There was affection in his eyes, a sweet affection that warmed her heart. Perhaps… perhaps she was falling in love with River.

The bread she was holding fell as she came to this realization.

“What?” He chuckled.

“Nothing.” She did feel blood rising to her cheeks, but it felt good. She knew that she was close to figuring him out, that they were close to understanding and trusting each other.

His reddish eyes locked on hers. “You look happy.”

“Maybe I am.”

“Hmm…” He scratched his chin, as if thoughtful, but his tone was playful. “Am I supposed to assume that all this glee is because you’re keeping me in suspense?”

“Got a taste of your own medicine?” She chuckled, then recalled his face when she returned. “I really didn’t mean to worry you.”

He looked away and shook his head. “You have no idea, Naia.”

“So you care about me?”

Instead of replying, River glared at her.

She frowned. “What’s that face supposed to mean?”

He rolled his eyes. “Really? Really, Naia? You think I don’t care about you?”

“It’s not normal to keep secrets from the ones you care.” There. She was getting to her point.

He snorted. “You should know that it’s not true. People keep secrets. All the time. Even from the ones they love.”

Did he love her? But she went back to the subject at hand. “But it means they don’t trust them.”

He shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not.”

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