He turns and cradles my face in his hands. “It’s over now. We can move forward. You’re no longer the hidden secret.” In relief, I let out the breath I’m holding. He presses his lips to mine in a tender kiss. A throat clearing breaks us apart. We both look over to see Elliott watching us with a big grin on his face.
“Luke’s in love,” he singsongs. Luke lunges for him so fast, he doesn’t have a chance to get away. He’s got super-human strength. He grabs Elliott around the neck in a chokehold and holds him tight to his side.
“What did you say?” Luke asks him.
“You heard me, little brother.”
“I’m not so little right now, am I?” I can tell they’re joking around. They both have smiles on their faces while they tease one another. It’s nice to see them have fun. Everything since I’ve gotten here has been so serious. Maybe things can calm down now.
“Would you two stop being so immature?” Addison throws over her shoulder as she walks by to leave.
“Never!” Elliott calls. Luke grinds his knuckles into his head and releases him. Elliott takes a step away, then it’s his turn to lunge for Luke. They wrestle around for a bit. I stand on the sidelines watching their fun. Addison steps up beside me. I thought she had left.
“You break my brother’s heart, and I’ll break you,” she threatens. “The seers aren’t the only one with abilities.” I have no idea what she means by this, and know if I ask I won’t get an answer.
I look at her, but am not the least bit ruffled by her threat. “I hear you loud and clear. Let’s just hope he doesn’t break mine either.” Her eyes meet mine, surprise evident in them.
“I’m not a bad person, Addison. I’m just trying to find my way through life like everyone else. This world of yours is new to me. I’m doing the best I can. I can’t deny the attraction I have toward your brother, nor do I want to. He’s my anchor in this realm. My source of calm. He never told you about his dreams, did he?” She shakes her head. I turn back to watch the brothers toss each other around. “We’ve both been dreaming about the other for a while now. Little did we know that we were starring in each other’s dreams. We connected long before I showed up at the cottage. We’re joined, he and I, on a level I never imagined possible.” Just then Luke looks up and graces me with a megawatt smile that makes my stomach flutter.
“I had no idea,” she admits quietly.
“I trust that we can keep this between us.”
“Yes, of course.” I have a feeling the hard ass attitude I’ve been getting from her has just changed. Maybe one day we can be friends.
Luke and I spend the remainder of the morning shopping. We stop by the local clothing vendor so I can pick out enough clothes, bras, and underwear to last me at least a week without having to do laundry. High-end lingerie it’s not, but it will have to do. We stroll hand-in-hand through the courtyard, visiting other vendors along the way. He said it might be good for them to see us out and about together, showing them I’m not a threat.
We drop the packages we purchased back at his home. King Azure made sure that I have access to my own money and a lot of it, at that. I can’t imagine ever needing that much money. However, he told me if I ever run out, his children are to give me more. They’re to keep me set for life. It makes me wonder just how wealthy they are.
I drop down on the couch, exhausted from the day’s events, and close my eyes. Luke sits beside me, but before he can get settled there’s a knock on the door. I open my eyes and stand. He strides to the door and opens it, speaking with whoever is on the other side in a hushed voice. Then I see his shoulders tighten, but he takes a step back, allowing the person in.
An older woman steps in. She has beautiful, straight silver hair that falls to her mid-back. She’s petite and curvy. Her navy twill pants accentuate her hips, as does her white, long-sleeved blouse. It’s light and airy. Her eyes are the same silver as her hair. They captivate me and draw me in.
I step toward her. She smiles. Her eyes sparkle from the sunlight being let in by the still open door. Luke closes it behind her and offers her a seat in his living area. She sits in one of the chairs across from the couch where Luke and I sit.
“Alison, this is Stephanie. She’s a seer. Our only one. She asked to speak with you.”
“It’s nice to meet you.”
“You too, Alison Wescot,” she replies. Her voice is like a melody. I’m taken aback by her knowing my name, but then again, I’m assuming she probably knows everything about me.
Luke slides closer to me and takes my hand in his. I’ve noticed that when there are people around us, he presses to my side. I’m not sure if it’s him staking his claim on me, or if he’s letting the person know I’m protected by him. Either way, I take comfort in the warmth of his hand and his thigh pressed to mine.
“What would you like to talk to the princess about?” Luke inquires.
“Well, I was going to ask to speak to her alone, but I know you better than that, Your Highness. You aren’t going to let this woman out of your sight. Not now, or ever.”
Luke nods and then she looks at me. “Alison, my dear, I came to warn you. King Pine is coming, and he’s prepared to wage a war to get you.”
Warning
“I don’t want him to fight anyone to speak with me,” I reply.
“He doesn’t want to speak. The king knows where your allegiance lies and wants you on his side. I’m not the only seer in the realm. He has his own advisors. How do you think he found out you were here?”
“I won’t side with him. I belong here, with Luke, and the rest of the Azures.” It’s the truth. This man, who I’ve never met, dares to threaten these people with war. No, I will not side with him.
“My visions can change, my dear. They change due to your decisions. You have the ability to stop a war before it starts.”
Luke stands abruptly. “I won’t let her go with him. Or with Sage,” he growls.
“Easy, young prince. I didn’t say she would have to go with him, but her actions are the catalyst. Everything hinges on her and how she and you respond,” she replies pointedly.
He rakes his hand through his hair. “What do we do? How do I keep her safe, and here, without causing war? Although, I would love a chance at him. If it weren’t for the potential loss of life, I’d let him bring a war to our borders. It would be my pleasure to cut him down.” I cringe at his words. The idea of Luke being the killer, which Oliver told me about, is nothing I want to ever witness. It’s bad enough in my head, let alone seeing it in real life.
“Your Highness,” Stephanie addresses him in a calm tone. “Take a seat. You’re startling the princess.” He peers down at me and his eyes soften. Sitting by my side, he takes my hands in his again and looks at me with an apology clearly written all over his face.