Page 25 of A Kingdom of Magic and Rain

My heart sank. “We did.”

He stared at me expectantly, giving me the opportunity to continue on my own. As silence stretched between us, I once again marveled at how poised and confident he looked against the backdrop of his study. Surrounded by masculine elegance, he stood unmoving with his hands behind his back. Dressed in a crisp white shirt, a dark-gray vest, and trousers of the same color, he looked the picture of immaculate grace. A faint scent of cigars clinging to him also added to his allure. Wait, what?

I shook my head to clear my thoughts and said, “Yes. Luna wanted to see the border.”

“She wanted to do more than that, didn’t she? Killian said it had looked like she was using her magic to strengthen the wards.”

All color drained from my face as a tense silence descended again. Do I lie or do I tell the truth?

“The royal women are prohibited from using their powers to reinforce the wards,” Gray carried on, his intent gaze searching my face.

My breath caught in my throat, but I kept my features schooled as I stared back at him.

When I didn’t respond, he stepped closer to me and leaned in as if we were about to share a secret. “Emelin, what is going on?” he asked softly.

Tears rushed to the surface at his gentle tone. Everyone deserved to know the truth. As the lord of the region on the border with Aubrielle, he deserved it the most.

“The wards are growing weaker,” I confessed, my voice dropping to a whisper.

Gray paled but gave no other indication that he had heard me. His gaze grew distant for a moment as he ruminated on the implications of what I had revealed.

“How long have you known?” he asked when he refocused on me.

“I found out two weeks ago when I visited the border with my father. That’s why I decided to stay behind and train. I need to unlock my powers so I can use them to help with the wards and the worsening weather.”

“Are the two connected?”

“It’s unclear, but my father is looking for a solution to both. That’s why he asked Lady May to move to Nasyra to train my brother.”

“And that’s why you decided to train here. To keep watch on the wards,” Gray surmised as understanding dawned on his handsome face. “A very courageous act on your part.”

I blushed at the notes of admiration in his voice. “I wish the reason behind my decision to stay here were that noble. The truth is I mainly was trying to escape the capital and my past, if only for a short while.”

He gave me a dubious look. “That couldn’t have been the main reason. I’ve seen how deeply you care about your realm. In fact, now that I know the truth, your behavior makes much more sense.”

Panic surged. What if I had made a mistake trusting him with that knowledge?

“Please don’t tell anyone,” I begged. “My father will find a solution.”

The words hung between us in the otherwise quiet room as Gray’s silver gaze roamed my features.

“Are you okay?” he finally asked. “Being only one of the few people who know the truth must be a heavy burden.”

The burning behind my eyes intensified as I was touched by the thoughtfulness behind his question.

“It is,” I admitted. “I’m glad you also share that burden now.” The panic I had felt a moment ago about confiding in him subsided. The pressure on my shoulders alleviated slightly, and I welcomed the relief.

“You should have told me sooner, but I understand why you didn’t. I do hope that only honesty will exist between us from now on.” One side of his mouth lifted as he reached up and tucked a lock of hair that had escaped my bun behind my ear.

I suddenly realized how close we were standing to each other, with very little space separating us. Gray must have realized it, too, because he took a step back and cleared his throat.

“Do you know how long your cousin will be staying?” he asked nonchalantly, glancing out the window at the darkening sky outside.

“She’s leaving in the morning.” I fought a smile when the lord sighed with relief. “She’s beautiful,” I added, unable to stop myself.

“She is,” he agreed as he met my gaze.

“She wants to marry a lord,” I went on, watching for his reaction.