“No.” I smile softly.
“If you come, you listen to my every word. And Willem’s.” I blanched when Kane mentions his Second-hand. But I nod. Kane eyes me suspiciously. “If we tell you to do something, you do it. I want you to be safe.”
My heart flutters at his words but I try to squash the sensation. Kane was right to pull away earlier. We’re growing too close. I need more control. “I promise,” I say.
“Good.” Kane nods firmly. “Go gather a few things, we leave when Willem returns.”
"Thank you," I beam. I squeeze his arm and slip past him, my chest brushing against his. I don't miss the way his breath catches in his throat, and my body warms. Kane catches my arm in a tight grip, wrenching me back. I gasp as he tugs me into his chest, trapping me against him. I don’t struggle, as he glowers at me with fearsome, dark eyes.
"Pack quickly, because we won't wait for you," he growls. I nod, but he cuts me off with a low growl. I ache. "And pack lightly, if you slow us down, I'll send you right back to this castle. Understand?"
“Yes,” I breathe, palms pressed lightly against his chest. I curl my fingers into him instinctively, feeling light-headed from his cologne.
"That's my little mortal," Kane murmurs, releasing me. I stumble backward, heart hammering loudly in my chest. Our eyes are locked, and Kane smirks as if he knows exactly what he does to me. "What are you waiting for? Time is ticking."
I turn without another word and rush down the hall. I press a hand to my chest, counting my rapid heartbeats. I can feel his eyes on me until I round the corner and take the stairs down a level. I navigate the castle halls with ease now, and the dark portraits don't frighten me anymore. I feel my stomach twisting as I imagine seeing the mortal world for the first time in a month. Nordsk is on the west border of Ryrn and has been a good ally and trade partner. For a time, my father would send my sisters and me to Nordsk to visit the Princess and different nobility. I have fond memories of Nordsk.
Skipping around a corner, my vision is suddenly filled with white. I balk but can’t stop myself from ramming into the man. I bounce off his chest, arms raised defensively. “My apologies,” I say, putting distance between myself and the stranger.
“No, I’m sorry, I should have been looking out for sprightly mortals like you,” the stranger says.
I look up, studying him. His hair is golden blonde, shimmering in the warm light of the castle. His tan skin shimmers with golden flecks as if he was the embodiment of the sun. He smiles, warmly at me, and I feel myself relaxing. His eyes are as black as night, the same shade as Kane's, but kinder despite the darkness. He cocks his head and I notice the familiar curve of his jaw.
“I’m sorry for staring, you look familiar,” I say slowly, chewing on the words.
The stranger's smile broadens. "Is that right? Who is it that I look like? Your lover, perhaps?"
“He’s not,” I start, stammering, before falling silent. I am Kane’s bride after all, we should be lovers. And yet.
“You don’t have a lover then?” The man leans against the corner, blocking me from the hall. I bite the inside of my cheek and peek around his broad shoulder towards the door to my room.
“I never said that,” I say softly, suddenly feeling nervous.
The man leans closer, bringing his head to my level. He smirks, and I see that familiar wickedness. "I would like to hear more about this ‘not-lover' of yours. But for now, you wouldn't know where I could find Kane, would you?"
“Kane?” I furrow my brows. “You could try his office. Go down another level and check the East wing.”
"You've been very helpful, little mortal." The man fingers a loose lock of my hair, and I stiffen. "What's your name?"
“Briar,” I say, forgetting to step away from his curious hands. “Princess Briar of Ryrn.”
The man grins, his white teeth glinting. “It’s been a pleasure, Briar. I hope we meet again soon.”
I open my mouth to reply, but I can't find the words. Anything I could say feels like a betrayal to Kane. Suddenly, I feel a wave of anger. It overrides my nervousness and the tingling in my body from the stranger's gaze. I stagger under the force of the anger, heat sweeping through my body. I take a step backward as the man watches me with concern. I lift a hand as if to reassure him, but I can't hide its trembling.
“Briar, are you alright? Do you need a healer?” The man starts towards me, hands outstretched.
I open my mouth to reassure him, but the anger and the heat are so intense I can hardly form the words. I clench my hands into fists, eyes hazy with rage. I've never felt such intense anger in my life. I don't know how to control it, how to calm myself. More than that, I don't know if I want to be calm. It's more than anger. It's power.
Shadows erupt beside me, filling the hall and curling towards me. They sweep around me, stealing some of the heat that plagues my body, making me shake. Eyes wide, I watch as Kane stalks out of the shadows. His black eyes are lit with fury, and he glances at me as if to reassure himself of my presence. When his eyes meet mine, I see a flash of guilt. An instant later, the anger disappears. I lean against the wall, trying to get my bearings again as Kane squares off against the grinning stranger. Kane is a few inches taller than the stranger, but the man's shoulders are broader, his arms thicker.
I can feel the rage roiling off Kane like waves in a storm, it carries the same
