But he remained persistent. She knew he would not leave until he got his answer. His hand left her cheek, and he stared down at her through his dark lashes.

She bit her lip before she explained the potion, the dream and what exactly Tharin did to her. He listened intently. No interjecting, no speaking over her. His only response was a nod sometimes; his hand drifted over and held hers, running his index finger over her thumb. A minuscule gesture some would find so insignificant was the greatest comfort Bethan ever felt.

When she finished, he swore underneath his breath, so quiet he must’ve thought she didn’t hear him.

‘Tharin is an even bigger asshole than I had originally thought.’

She laughed darkly and stared down at her fingers, playing with the cuff of her knitted jumper.

He gazed at her with softened eyes. ‘Does Agatha know he’s like this?’

‘No. He plays her like a fiddle.’ She sniffled.

He raised his brows. ‘Did me raising my voice remind you of him? Is that why you were so scared of me when we first met?’

Bethan nodded. Franticness was written all over his face, which was turning bright red. He dragged his hand through his hair.

‘Fuck,’ he whispered. ‘I’m so fucking sorry. I never want to make you feel like that.’

She shivered. ‘

You don’t have to apologise,’ she told him. ‘You couldn’t have known?’

He released a small breath and flicked his gaze towards her.

‘I still . . .’ he murmured. ‘We shouldn’t be so trusting of them. We need to tread carefully. We only tell them details if it’s necessary.’

‘I agree,’ Bethan said. ‘You were right before; the other stuff just got in the way of me seeing that.’

‘Thank you. I know it’s hard for you to admit that I’m right.’

She grinned, and he patted her shoulder, standing up from the bed, making an exit to the door.

‘Stay,’ she whimpered. ‘Please.’

She wasn’t sure what had come over her. The dream, maybe, but she was desperate to not be alone.

Kellan stopped, his back facing her, before he slowly spun on his heels back to the bed.

Each step felt like it was an eternity, the floorboard creaking with each one.

And finally, the gap between them closed. He stood by the bed, illuminated by the light of the full moon peeking through the small window.

She pulled the covers out and got underneath them. She shuffled to the left side, giving enough room for Kellan’s large frame. The bed shifted accidentally, causing her to roll into him. He pulled the sheets up, covering them both.

They lay in silence in an attempt to fall asleep. But Bethan knew that they were both too aware of the closeness between them.

Kellan turned to his side, facing her. ‘We haven’t talked about that kiss.’