Crown of Blood and Glass (Awakened Fates Book 1) by Lucinda Dark & Rebecca Grey & Lucy Smoke

Author:Lucinda Dark & Rebecca Grey & Lucy Smoke [Dark, Lucinda & Grey, Rebecca & Smoke, Lucy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-05-25T16:00:00+00:00

20

SOLOMON

Neither Devonry nor I speak much as we trudge through the forest. Her steps are loud compared to mine, but I don’t warn her from making too much noise. Instead, I use it as an excuse not to look at her—choosing to keep an ear out for her panting breaths and the stumbling steps she takes to tell me how tired she’s growing. Surprisingly, however, she doesn’t offer a single word of complaint.

When I hear the sound of a very unfeminine curse slip between her teeth, I have to refrain from chuckling. She’s trying. In fact, she’s thriving, thus far. At least, that’s what I tell myself. Knowing who she is—and how she’s lived her life until this point—it’s the truth. What other Princess would choose to tramp through ground thickened by roots and overgrowth rather than stay safely within a castle whose hosts would cater to her every need?

Mine, apparently.

The two of us are so focused on our respective tasks of walking that there is little need for us to bicker. A fact I am grateful for. After our travels, I have little energy to entertain another fight as well. Beats pass and I pause, hearing the way her footsteps slow at my back. She’s good at that, despite her objections to the idea of doing as I say, she’s become quite adept at picking up on my hesitations and following my unspoken commands.

Devonry sways forward, her slender frame against my side. She brushes small bits of bark from the top part of her dress. “We’ll camp here for the night,” I say, breaking the silence that’s been hovering between us.

“Here?” she repeats, glancing around at the small clearing we’ve managed to stumble upon before turning her confusion on me. “There’s hardly enough space for both of us to lay down and sleep.”

“There only needs to be enough space for you,” I tell her as I begin undoing the straps holding the bags into place. I let them drop at my feet and sigh as I stretch my sore and tired muscles. Her attention follows my movements, soft, albeit tired eyes lighting on my chest before sliding down. I’d almost mistake her stare for interest—if I didn’t know better. I’ve worked hard enough for the past several years at getting Devonry to find me annoying. Necessary, yes, but certainly not a man she would gaze at with heated and rapt awareness.

The second I suspect she might show some … the two of us will be in quite a world of trouble. All it would take is one move from her, one slip, and I might forsake all that I’d promised her father. If only for a little taste of her.

Her frowning expression is inquisitive, but I have no intention of explaining my meaning. Right now, we have more important things to do. I bend and lift a long, broken branch from one of the trees above and then snap it in half before turning and holding it up before her.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.