Page 166 of Gods of the Sea

“And then,” he continued, “I forgot everything I wanted to say once I saw you.”

Silence passed again as I felt my face flush. I leaned forward and poured us both some tea as I collected my thoughts.

“Is Jacques training you well?” I asked, picking up a cup of tea and offering it to him.

He nodded, taking the cup from my hands. “I’ve been treated well, considering. No one is afraid of me under this king’s command. Thanks to the king, my family is safe and I am in a position of purpose. I can’t ask for anything more.”

He took a sip of his tea, the cup clinking against the saucer.

“I’m glad to hear that you and your family are well,” I replied.

He nodded in gratitude. “And your father?”

“His healing hasn’t been smooth, but he’s becoming more stable.”

Henrik sighed. “If there’s anything you need, please allow me to serve you as—” He stopped. “As a servant of the king.”

He quickly drank more tea, coughing as he swallowed.

“Please, Henrik,” I said quietly. “Don’t act like my servant. Not when I’ve spent so much time looking up to you.”

He dropped the cup from its saucer, the tea spilling on his clothes. I quickly grabbed a napkin from the tea tray and dabbed his shirt. When the burn marks on his abdomen peeked out from between the buttons on his shirt, I couldn’t help but stop. Without thinking, I reached out and touched them.

“Do they still hurt?” I asked.

He shifted in his seat. “No.”

Suddenly realizing, I pulled my hand back.

“Forgive me,” I said, stepping back. “I didn’t mean to touch you so mindlessly.”

He shook his head. “I knew you had no ill intentions.”

He paused, staring at me with such an intensity that I couldn’t help but look at the floor in front of me.

“But there’s something I just don’t understand,” he finally said.

He lifted his shirt showing more of the burn marks.

“Even with these runes etched into my skin,” he said, “these markings drawn to protect me from your spell, even now, you’re still the only thing I can think about.”

My hand fluttered to my chest as my heart fluttered along with it. He let down his shirt, dropping his head.

“I know I hurt you,” he said. “My darkness enslaved me, and I lashed out at you for it. But…but I wanted to tell you that with or without magic, you’re the one who has captivated me most.”

I swallowed down my heartbeat. Henrik laughed nervously, running his fingers through his hair. He then stood to his feet.

“I realize that you’re engaged—perhaps by now, even married—and I don’t wish to make things any more difficult for you.” His hands shook. “I just…had to tell you in person myself. I had to apologize for my actions and wish you the greatest happiness.”

“Henrik—”

“So please consider this my formal apology,” he said, bowing. “I wish you the greatest happiness, Esmeralda. I won’t forget what you—”

I cut him off, jumping to my feet and throwing my arms around his neck.

“You fool,” I said in his ear. “How can you wish me great happiness when my greatest happiness is you?”

I held his face in my hands and pecked him on the lips. He jumped, taking a step back in surprise.

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