Page 158 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

I barely hear them.

My world narrows to the lone figure standing at the end of the maze below.

Rian lifts his head, and his silver eyes find mine instantly.

The knot in my chest loosens.

Rian holds my stare, metallic eyes intent, as if words are pressing against his teeth and he’s forcing them back

A tickle travels up my arms, coiling in my chest to meet my power.

Warmth floods my veins, and the memory of our kiss rises unbidden, but not unwelcome.

I should look away.

Rian said the kiss was a mistake.

I should remember all the reasons I’m angry with him. The secrets. The tricks. The deceit.

But as my heartbeat begins to slow, fear for his safety diminishes, and an undeniable thought takes root in my mind.

Who cares if I’m drawn to Rian by Fae instinct?

Logic tries to tell me it’s instinct I can control—that giving in could cause a cascading effect I may regret later.

A strand of hair falls over Rian’s eye as he tilts his head.

I don’t care.

I’ve already faced the fact that I’m half Fae. At least, in part.

The truth of my heritage comes with so many implications. So many questions. And the need to find Ferria and tell her if she doesn’t already know.

But right now, with that insistent rope wrapping around my chest and urging me to race down the stairs and throw myself into Rian’s arms, I tell myself I have time.

“You care for the prince.” Helen’s cool words flow into my ear.

I jerk away from the railing, my hands falling to my sides.

Warnings bells ring in my head as I meet her hard stare.

“Of course,” I reply and swallow past the lump lodged in my throat. “We’re friends.”

The marks on my arms trill, insisting we’re more.

And maybe we could be.

Or would be.

If the next words didn’t come out of Helen’s mouth.

“I’m glad to hear it.” False sincerity drips from her voice. “Your kind has no business mingling with the Shadow Heir. To do so would be…unnatural.”

The words, meant to sting, don’t land their mark.

Fae or no, I don’t care what Helen thinks.

“He needs someone influential,” she continues. “Someone to sit on a throne at his side when the time comes.”