He’s still smiling, and I look away to hide my flushed cheeks. I’ve heard servants in the castle speak about Braizen and his…area of expertise. How in the hells they knew about it is beyond me, but our servants loved to gossip, and I loved to listen.

I gaze into the bright boughs arching overhead and at the golden lights that warm and protect us. I sense something lives and breathes in and among these beautiful trees. I can feel it when I place my palms against the earth; I can almost hear it when the music is low enough. It’s serenity and strength, as if I’m supposed to be here. As if I belong.

The thought pulls me back into the present, and my expression hardens. No, I’m not meant to be here. I’m supposed to be on my way to marry King Lachlan to save my people. I’m meant to be the Savior of Verdana. No longer a little girl forced to hide behind white stone walls while her Kingdom dies around her, but the woman who triumphs over those who seek to harm us. The one whose name will be praised and be the last thing King Vaskis will hear before he’s defeated.

Instead, I’ve been captured by his son. Braizen is an irritating obstacle and a hindrance to my fulfilling my fate, not someone whose company is to be enjoyed. “Why did you kidnap me, Braizen?” I concentrate on playing with some stones and refuse to face him, afraid I’ll fall prey to his charms yet again.

“Why were you on your way to Aeradian?” He prods back.

This time, I won’t say too much. I clear my throat and start to draw in the dirt with my finger. “Because of Baellilean troops, my father was wary of attending King Lester’s funeral. As I’m sure you know, we didn’t go. No Verdanian attended.”

“With good reason,” Braizen huffs. “Our Royal King’s guards line that road.”

I scoff, flicking away some of the dirt under my thumb. “Yes, well. We decided now it would be safe for me to go and pay our respects. Of course, we were wrong,” I add.

Braizen releases a low whistle. “After all this time, with so many years to cultivate the skill, I thought you’d be a better liar.”

My eyes shoot up to meet his grin. I grab some dirt and throw it at him.

He lets out a deep chuckle as it lands on his leg. “If you don’t want to tell me, I won’t pry,” he says.

“I asked a question first; I’ll remind you.”

“Well, I could just make up an answer as you did, so what’s the point of asking?” He counters. “What if we start with smaller secrets and work our way up?” Braizen suggests.