“Agreed,” Silas says. “I’ll be back within the hour.”
After he leaves, I take Xander’s hand in mine and stare at our laced fingers.
“What?” Xander asks, brushing my hair from my eyes. “You look like something’s troubling you.”
I keep my eyes down, away from his. “Is this truly what you want?”
I gave him his mother’s letter shortly after Micha’s demise. Xander has had to face so many things all at once—his mother’s death, discovering Hart is his father, and the fact he’s a prince. More things than any one person should have to handle. He chose to join the Rebels and help lead us to a free world. However, I can’t help but wonder if he understands what he’s giving up by not claiming his birthright.
I release a heavy breath and ask him again. “Are you positive this”—I tap my chest, repeating the action he used with me—“is what you want?”
He lifts my chin, and I finally look into his dark eyes. “Always,” he says.
I smile as he presses his lips to mine. And in this moment, I know that we’ll find a way to be free. Live a life not dictated by others. We’re together. We’ll face whatever comes our way.
And as he pulls me closer to him, removing all my fears and doubt, I know I’ll never have to question him again.