He reached for a rogue curl, tucking it behind her ear. “I have no experience with a mature bond, Veralie. We were just kids, and then you…” He sighed, moving his hand to rub the back of his neck.
“The years apart have weakened our bond, but it’s still there. Our bodies have known from the moment we touched. Our minds were simply in denial. I know you feel the same.”
Desire shot through him when fire lit up her eyes, the silver color turning molten. “And what is it that I feel, Jaren?” She attempted to put space between them, but he reached out and yanked on her hand, pulling her flush against him.
“You want me just as badly as I want you, little star.”
Her eyes narrowed, and she honestly looked ready to punch him, but her body told him otherwise. Her arousal went straight to his already semi-hard length, that star-fire scent teasing him with the thought of her taste.
He knew she could feel him pressed up against her stomach. She pushed away, her face flaming red, but didn’t refute his claim. Raising her chin, she somehow found a way to stare up at him while simultaneously looking down her nose at him.
He was in awe of her. He knew she was inexperienced, knew—with no small amount of pleasure—that no other male had yet to touch her, but although easily embarrassed, she didn’t feel shame for anything she felt. She didn’t hide or deny her desires, and it was so fucking enticing.
“Gods, Vera, this is insane. You can’t be serious. Mates? Like he has some animalistic claim on you? He’s done nothing but manipulate you this entire time.”
Jaren whipped his head toward Trey, a snarl bursting from his lips when the guard dared to reach for his star. He’d kill him. He’d fucking kill him right now if he laid so much as a finger on her.
Trey’s eyes flicked to him, and sensing his impending death, he wisely lowered his outstretched arm.
Veralie stepped between them with one arm spread in both their directions. “Just stop! You hate him, and he hates you. We all get it. It doesn’t matter whether he and I have this soul bond or whatever,” she said, making him bristle. “I already told you I was going with him, Trey. And I meant it. I’m leaving.”
He smiled at the guard, letting every malicious and cruel thought fuel his expression. Trey’s anger was potent in the air, and the predator in him reveled in it. Jaren hoped the guard choked on the truth.
“No, Vera. I am your friend, and that means telling you when you’re being insane, even if you don’t want to hear it. You truly believe the male you just happened to run into while he was stalking our Crown Prince, also happens to be your soul bonded…whatever?”
Jaren watched his mate lower her arms, brows pinched together in thought. She looked adorable, and he had the desire to smooth out the lines and kiss her forehead. The pull he felt to her was growing stronger by the minute, and he unconsciously took a step toward her.
She glanced his way when he moved, before looking back at Trey. “I don’t know. But I do feel a connection to him. I can’t explain it, but something is there. I don’t need you to understand, I just need you to trust me.”
She stared at the ground, worrying her lip, and Jaren was ten seconds away from wrapping his arms around her when Trey opened his stupid ass mouth again.
“I can’t let you, I’m sorry.”
Chapter 21
VERA
Her face shot up, and she clenched her hands at her sides, “Let me? Are you serious right now?”
Standing his ground against the force of her anger, he said, “Yes. Your life over mine. I swore an oath. Don’t make me break it.”
She stepped closer, pointing a finger at his chest. “You swore an oath to protect me, but you made that oath when neither you nor Eithan understood that I don’t need protection. I can protect myself.” She forced herself to stay firm, communicating the truth in her words, “I won’t go back, Trey. Not until if, and when, I decide to.”
“Gods dammit, Vera. Prince Eithan isn’t the enemy here. He’s trying to build a relationship, not take advantage and scandalize you. Are you really going to walk away from that chance just so you can go gallivanting off with some stranger?”
“Eithan’s even more of a stranger to me, so try again. Don’t talk down to me. I’m not stupid.”
“Then stop acting like it!” he spit. “I stayed with you and supported you running off because I understood your need for a taste of freedom. But this? Leaving? It’s selfish.”
She flinched back, stunned. Was she being selfish? Blinking back the burning in her eyes, she tried to breathe through the pain his verbal daggers were inflicting.
“I’m not against an alliance,” she said. “We could still forge one. Did it ever occur to you that by going back I could be doing more for both Aleron and Bhasura?” She looked at him beseechingly, but he just continued glaring.
“My father was related to King Vesstan so maybe I could talk to him, convince him to open communication without having to sacrifice my future to achieve it.”
Jaren stiffened, inhaling sharply through his nose. His head twitched in her direction, and he looked like he was about to say something before he glanced at Trey, quickly snapping his mouth shut. She knew he had a few choice words—or threats—he’d like to express, but he stayed silent, letting her fight her own battle.
“What am I supposed to tell Prince Eithan when I show up in Matherin without his betrothed? ‘Sorry, your highness, but she decided to elope. Hope there are no hard feelings.’ I’m sure that will go well.”
She shoved him hard enough, he stumbled back, “You’re being an ass.”
“And you’re being a coward.”
Trey barely dodged in time to avoid her fist, but she wasn’t nearly done. She followed through, twisting, and ramming her elbow back into his stomach. He grunted, his body curling forward before he leaped back, sidestepping her next strike.
“Putting myself first for once doesn’t make me a coward,” she said through clenched teeth. “I’m allowed to care about my future.”
A single tear escaped, and she shot her arm out again, but there was no heat behind it, her anger turned to nothing but crushing disappointment. He blocked, catching her arm.
They stood in silence, staring at each other. Vera tried to keep her face from crumpling. If this was what it was like to care about people, she didn’t know if she could survive ever doing it again. It hurt.
“I won’t apologize for the choice I’m making, Trey. But I am sorry for involving you. I shouldn’t have forced you to come. That wasn’t fair of me,” she said.
“Don’t do this, Vera.” His face was pale. “If you leave knowing what your emperor wishes, it will be considered treason. You might never be allowed back.”
“He’s not my emperor.”
Wiping the wet streak off her cheek, she pulled her arm out of his grip and walked towards the horses, refusing to argue further. When she reached Darling, she paused.