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“Is my sprite afraid?” His tone was velvety with a hint of teasing, one that I wouldn’t mind hearing again.
I needed to stop thinking like that.
“Yes,” I admitted, my fear of using the lift outweighing my fear of appearing weak.
“I can take us down slower, but trust me, you’ll like the speed someday soon.” His smirk told me he wasn’t only referring to the lift.
My cheeks heated, and I cleared my throat. “I need a jacket or cloak and some boots – it is too cold for me to go anywhere wearing only this.” I gestured to my thin tunic.
“I’m glad you asked. I have a gift for you.” A soft wrapped package appeared from beneath the table, and Ruslan handed itto me with unveiled excitement. “Open it,” he encouraged when I eyed it cautiously.
When he released the navy ribbon, the shimmering paper fell away to reveal a soft gray cloak lined with snow-white fur. Pushing away from the table, I shook out the fabric and wrapped it around myself, securing the luxurious gift with a square white diamond at my throat.
“The fur is from hares that live high in the mountains. They are extremely difficult to catch, but it is the warmest fur in all the continents. Since you seem to chill easily, I wanted you to have something warm enough for the Iron Realm. It is especially cold here during the winter.”
Who knew such small gestures would be the ones that would ruin me?
His thoughtfulness chipped another crack in my resolve against him, and with my earlier revelation regarding Kazimir and contraception, I worried that the scales were beginning to tip in Ruslan’s favor. There was so much thrown into question with my relationship with Kazimir, and I was dying to speak with him, hoping that these issues were oversight and not intentional.
“The cloak is beautiful. Thank you for thinking of me, Ruslan.”
“Is that love?”
“Noticing the needs of others, then helping them – that is love.”
His smile was devastating, the darkness that swirled around him dissipating enough to reveal a side of the male that was damning. He looked less the broken prince and more a benevolent king, and I caught a glimpse of what could be in his eyes. If it turned out that he was my mate, there was hope he could change for the better.
“One more thing,” he said, motioning for me to round thetable to his side. A box sat on the chair next to his, and he lifted it out of my way so I could sit. With the box in his lap, he removed the lid to reveal black leather ankle boots lined with the same snow white fur.
My heart sighed and tears pricked my eyes as his every act of thoughtfulness flashed through my mind.This palace, the closet filled with clothes, and no other female setting foot here. The cloak and shoes to keep me warm. Sending his chef out to gather ingredients for my favorite treat.
No matter his father’s plans for me, Ruslan only wanted me – us – to be happy, and that was becoming more apparent every moment I spent with him. My heart was at war with itself over the broody, enigmatic male before me, and my mind warred over who lied and who told the truth between Kazimir and Ruslan.
Needing a distraction from the back and forth of my thoughts, I lifted my leg to pull the shoe on. Ruslan tsked, and I stilled, watching him as he grasped my foot with one hand while the other lifted the boot from the box. He planted a light kiss on the top of my foot before sliding the boot on, then repeated the process on my other side, until my toes were warm and cozy in the soft fur lining my new shoes. He still wore that damning smile when he finished lacing both boots for me.
It was nice to be taken care of.
“Ready to go?” he inquired.
I placed both feet on the ground, my weight sinking into the cushioned soles of the shoes. “Slowly,” I reminded him of his promise as I followed him to the suite doors.
With a flick of his wrist, the doors swung wide, allowing us to pass through. He closed them in a similar manner, then took to opening the iron doors that hid the lift. The platform awaited our descent, and I sucked down a few calming breaths before stepping onto the stone beside Ruslan. The iron doors swungshut, and the stone beneath my feet jerked. My heart leaped to my throat while my knees buckled, sending me stumbling to the side.
Strong hands grasped my arm before I could tumble to the ground. “I’ve got you. Always,” Ruslan murmured, tucking me under his arm. This time I did not protest, instead clinging to him like my life depended on it. True to his word, Ruslan took his time lowering us to the base of the mountain, and when we finally reached the bottom, I released the breath that I had held the whole way down.
Only once the doors opened did I drop my arms from around Ruslan’s waist, but before I bolted, he grasped my hand and strode into the hallway that led outside. Warm sun and frosty air greeted us as we strolled to the stables. The scent of leather and oats filled my nostrils as we approached two black horses, saddled and waiting, with their coats gleaming in the morning light.
“You’re trusting me to ride on my own now?” I teased Ruslan.
“Don’t make me regret it, sprite.”
I approached the smaller of the two, a mare whose gentle eyes reminded me so much of Mistik. She blew into my fingers as I rubbed her nose, her breath foggy in the morning air. Her fuzzy lips nuzzled my palm, looking for a treat. “You’re shameless, aren’t you?”
Picking my head up, I searched for apples or sugar, and found Ruslan and Drazen, heads bent together and speaking in hushed tones. “I’ll be right back,” I promised my new mount, then slipped between her and the stallion, headed toward a wooden door that looked like it might be a feed room. Turning the handle, I opened it to find a tack room, but a male stood before a leather saddle, rubbing it down with oil.
“Can I help you?” he asked, giving me a once over that was unnerving, as though he saw straight through me.
“I’m looking for some treats for the horses,” I said, puffing out my chest with an air of confidence I currently lacked.
