My nerves quickly settled as we slipped away from the crowd and darted into the edge of the forest. My curiosity spiraled with each step we took away from the safety of the outpost.Where is he taking me?The sun was settled low in the sky and would begin to set within the next few minutes. If we went too far, we may have to walk back in the dark. An uneasy gulp washed down my throat as I considered that possibility. Fortunately, it only took a few more minutes before we reached a small out-cropping of bushes that forced us to stop.
Miron released my hand and stepped over toward the bushes. “Wait here for just a moment.” He held up his hand in pause, then disappeared between the clusters of foliage.
My body stiffened at his disappearance, but deep down, I knew he would never simply leave me stranded.Unless something happens to him... Like Conan finding him and dragging him back to the throne room...My nerves resurfaced, but I remained still. Miron’s familiar hand popped out through the bushes a second later and I felt my heart return to its normal rhythm.
“Take my hand,” he called out through the leaves. “I have something I want you to see.”
A small smile crossed my lips at his adorable gesture. “Alright, I’m coming.” I approached the bush curiously and accepted his waiting hand. As soon as he had a solid grasp on me, he pulled me forward through the bushes.
Leaves and twigs poked and tickled me as Miron gently tugged me through the mass of plants. My silk skirts caught on the occasional branch, but the bushes were overall fairly gentle and didn’t give me any scratches or pricks. I shut my eyes as the fluffy leaves brushed against my skin, tickling my nose and lashes until I stepped out of their leafy embrace.
A small giggle escaped me once I had completed the pass through, and Miron took in an excited breath. “Okay, Elle, open your eyes.”
I lifted my lashes and my eyes widened in absolute wonder. A soft gasp escaped my lips as I stared down at the edge of a small valley filed to the brim with fresh white honeysuckle bushes. Their sweet scent crept up to me as I took in an excited breath. I could almost taste their syrupy nectar just in the air alone. My eyes darted across the blossoming bushes in pure elation, but as soon as I cast my gaze forward, my breath left me again.
“Is that—” My words left me as I forgot how to breathe entirely.It’s so beautiful...
Miron laced his hand through mine, as we both stared into the most vivid painting of colors and light I had ever seen. “Yea, Elle. That’s a sunset,” he breathed softly.
A warm tear collected in the corner of my eye as I watched the fiery orange and reds dance across the sky like a flawless ballet. The warm rays lit the white flowers below with a golden light, making their blooms glow enchantingly. “I’ve never seen one before...” I whispered.
“I know.” Miron smiled, glancing over at me. His blue eyes sparkled with the fire of the sun, creating the illusion of fire and ice swirling behind his gaze. “Your tower window only faced the east. All your life you’ve only known a mere half of what the realm can offer you, but there’s so much more you have yet to see.” He took my other hand into his and I turned to allow his caring gaze to caress me. “I wish I could show you it all, but we both know...”
He didn’t finish, but he didn’t need to. We both knew our time together would be cut short far too soon, but right now, I don’t think either of us cared. All that mattered was that he was here now. I could hear him, feel him, and even see him. If this was the last moment I was ever going to have with Miron, I wasn’t going to waste a second of it.
“Miron, I...” I shook my head wordlessly. “I don’t know what to say. If you hadn’t uprooted my life, I would have never even known what I was missing.” I turned my head back toward the vivid blaze of auburn light. “It’s the prettiest thing I have ever seen...”
Miron released my hand and raised his touch to my cheek, gently turning my face to meet his. “I’ve seen prettier.” My cheek turned to fire beneath his tender touch as his blue eyes gripped me with a loving intensity. “Elle, I want you to know that I would die to my brother’s hand a thousand times if it meant that you could live to see another sunset.” His hand brushed a stray hair behind my ear and lingered on the back of my head. My heart pattered wildly as he, ever-so gently, pulled me closer to his face. “I love you, Elle.”
My heart soared and crumbled all in the same terrifying moment.Miron loves me...From the very moment I envisioned his death, I knew that getting close to him would be dangerous, but now that it had happened... Every fiber of my being rebelled against the rising feelings I had for him.He is going to die... He will leave me forever...I shouldn’t love him. I couldn’tlove him. The pain of his death would destroy my new life before it ever truly began. Tears clustered in my eyes as I stared back into the eyes of the man who had saved me from a fate worse than his own death.
I know what I have to say...
I took a long, broken breath. “I love you too, Miron.”
A smile sweeter than any honeysuckle in the realm lit up his glowing features, and then he pulled me into a blissful, yet tragic kiss.
chapter twenty-two
The sun had fully disappeared by the time we made it back to the outpost. My lips still burned from the intense warmth of Miron’s enchanting kiss.It had been so perfect, yet...As much as I wanted to block out all thoughts of my visions, I couldn’t help but feel the rising torment of Miron’s incoming fate.
How much time do I have left with him…?
My heart had never felt so joyous as it simultaneously shattered inside me. However, my romantic distractions were quickly snuffed out as a crowd of curious faces met us when we entered the main tent. Peter, Fabian, Nixie, and Killian all stood around a small wooden table that was cluttered with maps and make-shift castle blueprints.
Nixie’s lips curled into a cheeky grin. “Where have you two been?”
I fought my cheeks from giving us away, but unfortunately, my embarrassment overruled my self-control as the red settled across my face.
“Never mind us, what kind of party have you all been throwing?” Miron asked pointedly while crossing the room to inspect their work.
A relieved sigh parted my lips as Miron managed to successfully change the subject. Nixie still kept a knowing eye trained on me, but fortunately, the men didn’t seem to be nearly as interested in our disappearance.
General Fabian shifted over to allow Miron to join to encirclement around the table. “We’ve been strategizing a way to breech the Ashbourne palace and overtake King Darius and his forces. King Jasper has just sent word that the last supply shipment is on its way, therefore we should be prepared to strike as soon as we process the delivery.”
I peeked over Miron’s shoulder at the documents with a puzzled brow. “Why isn’t King Jasper here himself? Doesn’t he have the strongest vendetta against Prince Conan for murdering his father? I’m surprised he wouldn’t wish to be a part of the action.”
Peter cracked a small smile at the corner of the table. “Oh, he would have loved to be here, but there’s one thing that he loves more that took priority.” He flicked the general a cheerful smile. “Queen Kalina is expecting their first heir, and Jasper didn’t want to risk missing out on the birth of his firstborn. Besides, Drancos and Ashbourne share the largest border, so it’s important for him to stay within his kingdom in case Ashbourne attempts a counter attack. Honestly, I would have stayed home too, if I was able. I hated having to leave Arabella and baby Annie alone in Isalla, but my skills are best served on the battlefield, and I left them in the care of our most elite guard.”