Page 45 of Nightmare's Dance

“I’ll be back before you know it.” I stepped away from my parents and let Robby lead me from the gym. I’d spent hundreds of hours in that gym, and it felt as much like home as the house did. I hated leaving, but I told myself I’d be back soon, and I’d have my knight with me.

Tears blurred my vision, and I hurried across the expanse of the yard toward the shade of the trees in the surrounding forest. Robby kept pace with me, and by the time we reached the shelter of the canopy, I’d gotten my emotions under control. As much as I could manage, anyway.

Nic stepped out of the shadows and fell in next to me as I found the overgrown path to the old cabin. We didn’t talk, and I focused on my surroundings.

Insects buzzed through the air, and after I found a spiderweb with my face, I remembered to grab a long stick and wave it in front of me. The trees thickened into the forest I’d played in as a child, and a quiet calmness settled over me. This was home. This was where I belonged. Geraint and I had talked about doing a photo shoot out in these woods with our silks and straps and maybe even lugging the lyra out here. Promo shoots was our excuse, but really, we just wanted to play our favorite games in our favorite environment.

We hadn’t gotten to it yet, but we’d always said we would. Then summer got busy, and then we were leaving for our next contract. This summer we were getting our pictures. I’d make it happen. Somehow.

The forest had encroached on the cabin since last I’d been here. The roof still held, and the walls were strong, but if that old tree that towered over it lost a few limbs, the cabin might get destroyed.

Nic stood behind me while I studied the old structure. His presence curled around me. Unconsciously, I took a step back until we were touching. Nic put his hands on my shoulders, and I placed one trembling hand over his.

“Aww, you two are so cute,” Robby said in a falsely sweet voice.

“Jester, it won’t take much for me to forget who you are and put my fist through your face,” Nic growled.

Robby gave the same mocking bow he’d given Nic earlier today, and Nic’s fingers momentarily dug into my shoulders before he relaxed.

“Are you ready, luv?”

“Yeah, I think I know what I’m doing, but Nic, I used more than half the energy you gave me just repairing the mirror.”

“Hmm,” he replied. “That might make it difficult to repair two arches.”

“You’ll just have to give her more essence.” Robby made an obscene gesture.

“Yeah, I’m going to punch you, too,” I snapped.

“Oh, you two are way too serious about this. Kiss and take us to Nightmare Castle. We’ll rescue the knight and escape into the countryside. It may take a few days to find another mirror you can repair, and in the meantime, Nic can give you the tour of your kingdom.”

I turned to face Nic, and he put his arms around me.

The shy smile I gave the prince was almost as embarrassing as the way my stomach tightened and my heart raced at the thought of kissing him again.

Nic brushed some hair out of my face. “Sorry.”

“Why?”

“I’m enjoying kissing you far more than I feel I should.”

“Oh.” I blushed. “It’s okay. I don’t mind.”

His smile was sheepish, and I wished I’d said something smoother. Instead of trying to find better words and tangling myself up in them, I put my arms around Nic, getting used to the way his body shifted under my touch unless he put effort into being more solid. I kind of liked it. It was different, but I also liked that he put in the effort to remain stable for me. It made me wonder what sex would be like.

Oh shit. I’d just gone there, hadn’t I? It felt like a forgone conclusion that we’d be sleeping together at some point. I really needed to get myself under control. If nothing else, I already had Geraint, and I wasn’t willing to give him up. Unless that was what he wanted. We needed to have a talk we’d both probably rather avoid. It was easier just to leave things the way they were. Unfortunately, that was no longer possible.

“You’re thinking awfully hard, Spark,” Nic said, jolting me with his use of my nickname.

“Sorry.”

“We have a lot to sort through, Ember. Let’s tackle one thing at a time.”

“You’re right. Sorry,” I repeated.

“No need for apologies. I don’t mind.” He winked at me when he echoed my words back.

That made me laugh, which might have been his goal. He was smiling when he bent over and kissed me.

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