I tilt my head toward him in invitation—waiting, wanting, needing so very much.
Brahm lowers his head slowly, almost as if he’s about to change his mind. I hold my breath, silently urging him forward.
Please kiss me, I beg him with my eyes.
“Alice,” he breathes, beginning to shake his head.
Gently, I press my hands to either side of his face. “It’s all right.”
He pauses, searching me for signs of hesitation—and finding none.
I slide my hands down, letting them rest on his shoulders, counting the seconds as I wait. Tension grows between us, drawing us closer.
My eyes flutter closed when his mouth brushes against mine. Though the kiss is sweet and short, it’s followed by an oh-so-slow retreat that leaves me swooning.
But when I think we’re going to part, Brahm kisses me again, firmer this time, his lips lingering just a little longer before he draws back. I lean into him and loop my arms around his neck, pressing close.
“Alice,” he says, this time breathing my name like its precious air. He flattens his palm against my back, dragging me against him, and his other hand grips my waist firmly.
I pull off his mask, needing to see him, and then I remove mine. We come together once more, the time for hesitating long past.
I’m lost to Brahm, my heart full to the brim. I kiss him back, meeting his growing intensity, feeling the air crackle with magic around us. It sweeps over my skin, addictive and new.
Perhaps Brahm was holding back before, or maybe it’s the full moon, but it does feel magical in Faerie tonight. The garden is alive around us, and I’m suddenly aware of it.
When we do part, Brahm’s eyes fall to my finger. I discarded the filthy leather when I washed my hands, and then I slid on grandmother’s ring.
“You seemed happy to have it back,” he says quietly.
I look down at it now, rotating the gold band around my finger. “It was special to my grandmother. She wore it every day, even though she’d lost grandfather before I was born. She spoke about him like they’d only parted the week before—like she still loved him as much as she did the spring evening they exchanged their vows. It always seemed so beautiful to me, so pure.”
Brahm is quiet, waiting for me to go on.
“The ring technically belonged to Gustin, but I smuggled it into my things,” I admit, giving him a guilty smile. “Like everything else, it was supposed to be auctioned to help pay the debt. Forgive me, I suppose I stole it from you. But I couldn’t bear to see the token of their life together sold off to the highest bidder.”
A strange look crosses Brahm’s face. “We should fight for the things that are precious to us, shouldn’t we?”
Slowly, I nod. “I believe so.”
“You’re precious to me, Alice.” Brahm pauses. “The most precious thing in my life.”
I stare at the ring, letting his declaration heal wounded parts of my soul. I’ve never been precious to anyone. Not Mother or Father, and certainly not Gustin. Grandmother loved me, but even she worried over Gustin’s growing recklessness too much to give me much time. I was always there, quiet and obedient, never demanding anyone’s attention…and therefore never receiving much of it either.
And now here I am, in an enchanted garden, hearing words I’ve been so desperate to hear, and from a prince of Faerie.
I’m precious.
I’m not just Eleanor’s sister or Gustin’s unfortunate problem. I’m not the quiet daughter of poor Lord and Lady Gravely or Prince Brahm’s illanté.
Tears blur my vision, but they don’t fall. Even if we can never be anything more, this is enough. For the first time in my life, I feel cherished.
“I want to take you somewhere,” Brahm says quietly, suddenly looking very sober.
Nodding, I loop my arm through his, allowing him to lead me wherever he wants. We meander through the garden, startling drowsing flowers. They bloom when they spot us, putting on a show.
“That’s the strangest thing,” I whisper to Brahm, eyeing them with great interest.
After we pass, their petals fall around their heads as they drift once more.