“Just Ronan is fine. There’s no need for such formalities between us.” His fingers caress mine with soft, sensual strokes. “As for me, I have no brothers or sisters. Both my parents are still living—much to my mother’s chagrin.” Impossibly blue eyes lock with mine, wide pupils reflecting the waning moon. His head tilts, bringing us within a whisper of each other. “Can I tell you a secret—something I’ve never told anyone?”

Tell me all your secrets.

All your fears.

All your dreams.

I’ll keep them safe in my heart.

“Of course.”

His chest brushes against mine with his heavy exhale. “Part of me wishes I wasn’t born a prince. My true passion—oh, never mind. You’re sure to think I’m mad if I tell you.”

“I won’t. I swear.”

“All right, then. My true passion lies in carpentry. In building things that will last forever.”

The forgotten lilac still pinched between my fingers brushes against my skirts. How intriguing. A carpenter prince. “What sort of things do you build?”

The corners of his lips lift into the tiniest, most mischievous smile. “How about I call by your uncle’s cottage on Thursday and show you?”

He wants to see me again. Me. The daughter of a goat farmer. When I tell Theo, he’ll think I’m spinning yarns.

Could this night get any better?

“I would like that very much.”

His perfect smile stretches across his handsome face as his gaze drops to my lips.

Is he going to kiss me? He is! Prince Ronan Reve is about to kiss me.

I’ve waited my entire life for this moment and now that it’s finally here⁠—

My lips are…they’re too chapped. And my breath probably tastes like cider, and I haven’t bathed since I left Gravale…

“I should get back to Nia,” I blurt, my cheeks ablaze as my heart thunders against my breast.

The prince blinks at me from only a breath away. “W-what?”

What am I doing?

Why didn’t I just let him kiss me?

I am such a dolt, but it’s too late to take it back now. The moment is over; the spell broken. “Nia. She’ll be worried about me.” Has a more terrible liar ever existed? Nia probably doesn’t even realize I’m gone.

The harsh sound of Ronan clearing his throat cuts through the quiet night. “Right. Of course. Let me bring you inside.”

By the time we reach our table, his smile has returned, but mine is nowhere to be found. How did I muck that up so thoroughly?

Trevor darts a glance between us, a glass of cider clutched in his fist. “Here, Kerris. I bought this for you.”

Ronan’s brow furrows. “I said I would buy the drinks.”

“You weren’t here,” Trevor clips as he takes a swig of his own.