Cleo turned to Theon. “If I have to order you to come with me, I will. Don’t make me.”
“You can order me all you like, but the answer will still be no,” he growled, giving her a dangerous look that reminded her a little too much of her angry father. “I answer to the king, not to you. He said no, so I must also say no. We’re not going. Please, princess, try your best to accept this. Anything else will only make everything more difficult for you.”
Her eyes burned, but no tears spilled this time. She was all out of tears. Now she just had boiling-hot anger to fuel her.
She turned to Nic. “What do you think?”
“That’s a good question,” Nic replied. “While I’m not sure it’s the wisest idea I’ve ever heard, I know your heart’s in the right place. You love your sister more than anything.”
“Enough of this,” Theon said sharply. “The discussion is over. There will be no trip to Paelsia today.”
“I wasn’t even planning to leave for two more days.” She let out a slow, shaky breath. “Maybe by then you’ll have changed your mind.”
“Two days,” Theon repeated, his hard gaze finally softening. “A lot can happen in two days.”
“I know.”
“The same goes for you, princess. Think about this for two days. We can discuss it again. I hope that your commitment to this foolhardy plan will ease by then. Do you think that’s possible? Will the idea of Watchers and magic seeds seem a little less ideal when some time has passed?”
“Maybe,” she admitted with reluctance.
He nodded, seemingly satisfied by the answer. “I’ll escort you back to your chambers now.”
Cleo said good night to the Cassians and followed him, not speaking another word until she reached the door to her room.
“I am sorry,” Theon said. “I know how much you care about your sister. But I can’t go against your father’s wishes.”
“I know. And I do understand.”
He stiffened when Cleo took his hand in hers and brought it up to her lips to kiss it. The look on his face was priceless. She’d completely shocked him.
“Your highness...”
“I like you, Theon. So much. Despite any harsh words thrown between us, I know your heart is true.”
He swallowed hard. “I feel the same way toward you.”
“I know you think I’m a spoiled brat who only wants things her way.”
“I never said that. And I don’t think that. You are a...well, I think you’re kind of incredible. Stubborn isn’t always a bad thing. And your love for your sister is admirable.”
Cleo smiled before it faded. “I don’t want to marry Aron. Ever.”
He looked down at her fingers now laced with his. “I know.”
“What I want isn’t allowed.”
Theon’s gaze moved back up to burn into hers. “The feeling is mutual.”
Oh, how she wished things were simpler. And oh, how she wished she was talking about wanting Theon.
She did want him. But she wanted to save her sister’s life even more.
Cleo went up on her tiptoes and brushed a kiss against Theon’s cheek. “I know you’re just trying to protect me.”
He touched his face, desire darkening his gaze. “There’s nothing else I want more than to keep you safe.”
She smiled up at him. “Nothing at all?”
He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. “You’re making this very difficult for me.”
“Apologies; I’m teasing you.”
“Very well, too.”
“My father said that I act overly dramatic to gain attention.” She bit her bottom lip. Was that really how the king had always viewed her? No wonder when she’d asked for something so important, he’d found it easy to turn her down.
“I don’t see you that way at all.” Theon shook his head. “You’re a girl who views the world in a certain way. You want what you want. And if obstacles are presented to you, you try to find a way around them. Or through them.”
She looked up at him with gratitude. Considering what a short time they’d known each other, he saw her as she would like to be seen. She could only hope it was the truth. “Thank you for trying to protect me, even if occasionally it must mean that I can’t have what I want.”
“It’s my honor to protect you. Sleep well.” With a last searching look, Theon turned from her and moved down the hall.
Cleo went into her room, prepared for bed, and went to sleep.
And then, an hour before sunrise, she rose, dressed, and slipped out of her room, past the sleeping maid who was stationed by her door, waiting for her to awaken.
She’d lied to Theon when she said she planned to leave in two days. Emilia didn’t have that kind of time. Cleo had made her decision to go right away, even if it had to be by herself. She had some money with her. She would hire someone else to be her guide. Once she was past the palace walls, she’d plan her next step.
“Morning, princess.”
She froze.
For a split second she was certain it was Theon who’d discovered her ruse. But he didn’t know her quite well enough to know when she was lying.