My heart still sank even if I’d known that’s what he’d say. My throat tightened. I bit my bottom lip to stop it from quivering. I knew what I had to do. “You cannot give everything up for me. I think it would be best if—”
He hurried in front of me and pressed his thumb to my lips. “Don’t even finish that sentence. If you and I meet our end, it won’t be because my father or anyone else forces that outcome.”
Gently, he took my face into his hands. His piercing gaze burned into mine. At that moment I felt he could see my soul. Hear my thoughts. Knew me. Knew who I truly was. Knew how much I desired him. It frightened and tantalized. Stirred in my belly. Smoldered in my heart.
“Are you sure it’s worth risking everything?”
His hands dropped and a small smile formed at his lips. “You have no idea how much I want you, do you?” He grabbed me around the waist and spun in a circle. “Gah, it’s good to see you. It feels like it’s been forever.”
I couldn’t help the heat rising in my face as I giggled. I didn’t know how to respond to that. Truthfully, no, I didn’t know how much. “It really does feel like it’s been longer than three months.” I reached into the pocket inside my cloak and pulled out the wolf ring. “Oh, by the way, happy birthday.”
Releasing me, he smiled and took the ring. After inspecting it a moment, his eyes met mine. “It matches my pendant. Thank you.” He slipped it onto his left middle finger. “It fits perfectly.”
“Why did you choose a wolf?” I asked.
He shrugged. “It was actually given to me by my mother and I’ve always liked them. It’s actually my favorite animal. With dragons, and unicorns, and hippogriffs, all these magical creatures, you’d think I’d like something else more.”
I smiled. “There are a lot of things to like about wolves.”
He twirled a piece of my hair around his finger. “And I know, my father is being a pain in my ass right now but soon he’ll see reason. He wouldn’t actually take the heirship from me, and if he did, I could challenge my brother for it when my father dies. If that’s what I wanted.” His footsteps clapped against the floor as he walked over to a cushy high-backed chair. “I’m unsure about that. But what I’m not unsure about right now is you.” Zyacus patted his thighs with a sultry smile. “Have a seat, Princess.”
Heart pounding, I removed my boots and lowered myself onto his lap, then swung my legs over the armrest so they hung over the side. I found my fingers reaching for his hair. I played with a piece and pushed it out of his eye. “This is random but I’ve always wondered. When did you go from hating me to—not.”
He chuckled. “As a child it was simple jealousy. You’re magic-born. Your father is caring and doting, my father is not.” He took my hand and interlaced our fingers. “Don’t take this the wrong way but when I saw you in the dining hall the very first day of academy, I thought, ‘my gods she’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.’ Not that you weren’t before but you were kind of an awkward child the last time we saw each other.”
“I think you had me beat with the awkward child phase.” I pinched his arm. “Oh, and I was the most beautiful thing you’d ever seen, yet you continued being a pompous, arrogant bastard?”
“I couldn’t very well fall and grovel at your feet so soon, Princess. I had a reputation to uphold.”
I shook my head but laughed lightly. “A reputation of being a prick?”
“If you want me to grovel at your feet now to make up for it, I will.” His fingers brushed my ankles. “I could start by kissing you here,” his light touch moved up my leg to my knees, “then here.”
“Oh hush up,” I said, rolling my eyes.
His hands slid around my waist and he hugged me tighter. “Alright I won’t gravel but I still want to kiss you.” He didn’t wait for me to answer. His lips landed on mine.
His soft full lips stirred up butterflies. A hand slid up my waist and over my breasts then around my neck. A quiet involuntary moan escaped me. I kissed him harder. My fingers slid down his muscular chest and rested on his abs.
His roaming hands cupped my bottom and he squeezed. “Nice bum,” he murmured against my mouth.
Our kissing and caressing would have gone on longer but a scream tore through the quiet. I jumped to my feet. My already erratic pulse now thrummed like the wings of a hummingbird.
Zyacus ran to his window, peeking his head out. When I reached his side, people scattered and screamed below. “What is happening?” I searched for attackers or people fighting at the castle gates but saw none.
“Are those… birds?” he asked.
This far up it was hard to make out what the little black things swarming around were. That was until a swarm came our way. Screeching, shrilling birds aimed their attack at us. The birds crashed into the glass. I took a step back when they repeatedly slammed their bodies over and over.
“I’ve never seen birds act this way. Do you think they’re bewitched?”
Pounding on the door drew our attention from the birds. “Zyacus, you’re needed outside!” a male shouted.
“I’ll be right out,” he yelled back. Turning to me, he grabbed my hand. “I don’t know how long I’ll be but—”
More pounding on the door. “The King said he’ll give your stone back if you help. We’re being attacked by, I can’t believe I’m saying this, birds,” the man said.
I took a step closer. “I could help—”
Zyacus shook his head. “No, you can’t be seen at the castle right now/ If you can, meet me at The Thirsty Pirate. It’s a tavern in town. Hopefully
