Page 203 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

I swallow. “I’m working to heal Darius, but my magic… It won’t cooperate.”

His eyes trace the side of my face. “I’m sure you’ll think of something.”

“But what if I don’t?” My pulse flutters when he reaches out and takes my hands.

“You will.” He stares at my palms, eyes moving back and forth like he’s reading a book.

“How do you know?”

“Because I have a feeling about you, Elara.” His gaze lifts. “And when I have a feeling about someone…I’m rarely wrong.”

Whatever compliment I might’ve found in the declaration is swiftly washed away by a wave of insecurity.

How many women has Rian lured in with his handsome face and enticing words?

My romantic experience is limited. Lev is the only man I’ve been with.

And to say that didn’t go well is putting it lightly.

I sigh and step back.

Rian follows. “What is it?”

I shake my head and try to rein in my lust. “I’ve already told you, I don’t want to play games.”

“And I have already told you,” he replies, forehead furrowed, “this is no game.”

“It is,” I counter.

It has to be.

I take another step back.

Again, he follows. “It’s not.”

“As long as you’re hiding things from me, whatever this is”—I motion between us—“it’s nothing but a game. A ruse. And I’ve already let you deceive me one too many times, Prince.”

His irises flare silver. “The draw we feel to one another is not a ruse.”

“Then what is it?”

His lips don’t move.

“See?” I pull my hand away. “You can’t even tell me that.”

“I can’t tell you because I do not know.”

I frown. The marks on my arms bristle.

I take another step back, expecting to bump against a wall, but my heel lands on a ledge.

“Ah!” I swing my arms to regain my balance, but gravity pulls me backward.

Until one of Rian’s shadows snaps forward, wraps around my arm, and yanks me forward.

“Mother’s curse,” Rian spits out as I stumble into his chest. “You are the clumsiest female on the planet.”

My body flushes from head to toe.