Keys to the Realm by Neha Yazmin
Author:Neha Yazmin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: mermaid, high fantasy, royalty romance, epic royalty fantasy
Publisher: Neha Yazmin
That night, Malin and Rudro slept with the rest of the crew in the cramped room at the bow end of the ship. Evan had put her next to his cousin, but the girl had fallen asleep long ago. Malin had helped row the boat and her body was aching in a familiar way, forcing sleep away.
Surprisingly, Rudro hadnât said anything to her about using her real name. The only thing he mentioned when theyâd spoken today was that Roshdan was a far more conservative Island than Adgar when it came to courtships.
âWhich will serve you well,â heâd said in conclusion. âThey donât approve of... physical contact before marriage, so the distance you and Evan will keep between the two of you wonât raise any questions.â
It seemed like he was telling her to... stay away from Evan as much as she could. Or not to get any closer to him. That didnât sit well with her and sheâd walked away from her former teacher without responding. She constantly found herself being drawn to Evan; she wouldnât be able to keep her distance if she tried.
Like now, when she saw him rise to his feet and leave the cabin, Malin had to follow. Tonight, he climbed up to the platform above the room sheâd just left.
âYouâre here tonight,â she commented as she joined him.
âI like to look ahead to where Iâm going,â he explained. âRather than what Iâve left behind.â
âSpoken like someone who hasnât left anything behind in Adgar.â Malin had left everything there. She hugged her arms around herself; it was very cold.
âYes,â Evan murmured. âDespite what I thought when I rode out of the Palace gates...â Meaning: Yesterday morning, he thought he was leaving her behind in Adgar.
Her face felt a little warmer now.
âYou were looking back last night,â she reminded him.
âThatâs because you were over there,â he told her. âI wanted to be nearby.â He shrugged.
She didnât feel so cold anymore. âRudro was saying that your people are very conservative with regards courtships,â she whispered. âThat the crew probably expects us to keep our distance...â
âAnd for you to be coy...â Evan grinned.
âAnd for you to admire me from afar...â
âAnd for you to blush every time I walk by...â
âYes, that sort of thing.â Malin shrugged. âIs that true?â
Evan nodded. âAdultery is strictly forbidden; even Kings canât take mistresses like they do in other parts of the world.
âThe Royal Family can get away with some things, I suppose, but everyone is encouraged to be faithful and respect the sanctity of marriage. If you... like someone, you have to maintain boundaries.â
âSo, a lot of lovers in Roshdan sneak around?â Malin asked with a chuckle.
He laughed. âYes. But only for the innocent things. The... less innocent things come after marriage.â
âInnocent things like...?â
Evan swallowed. âFlirting. Holding hands. Kissingââ
âThey donât seem very innocent to me,â she scoffed.
She remembered squeezing his hand tighter and tighter yesterday in hopes that it would steady her trembling insides. Trembling because she was touching him. It hadnât worked. What would happen if they kissed? Donât think about that!
âNo, I suppose not,â he agreed.
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