Fireblood (Fireblood 1)

He turns and takes my hands in his. “You asked me why I chose you.” I nod once, hoping I’ll finally learn the answer. He takes a breath. “I’ve known you, Zara. Before I announced I’d chosen you during the transmission, even before it was known that I was to become betrothed, I knew you.” He leans in close to me. His arms touch mine. “I saw you on a monitor for the first time months ago. When I was being taught about Karm, and how I must know all that is going on in my kingdom, I saw you.”

The air in my lungs freezes and I can’t breathe. I fight to gasp air into my windpipe. Finally, I find my voice. “You spied on me?”

His face waxes over in panic. “No.” He shakes his head. “No. God. I only saw you passing through the streets of Town Square whenever you went.”

I release a strained breath. “That wasn’t very often.”

“It was enough.” He smiles. “You were beautiful, but it was more than that. The way you walked, carried yourself. Sure, but unsure. So quiet, yet you spoke volumes with only one look.” His eyes settle on my face. “There’s a silent strength in you. A strength I wish to possess for myself.”

Glancing away, I look at the river, not sure how to respond. What he saw on that monitor was not strength. It was a scared girl keeping to herself—frightened she’d be arrested by the Force. A girl hiding medicines in her basket. A girl only trying to save her sick father.

Sebastian presses on. “And my father knew. He knew.” He chuckles. “But I was too terrified to admit it for fear he’d order me to be with another, so that my feelings wouldn’t make me weak in his eyes.”

“Sebastian.” I whisper his name, unable to say more.

“I know.” He drops his head. “I’m really just a fool. My best friend, who I can’t even talk to, acting as my first knight. And the girl I fell for forced into a betrothal at the last minute. All because I can’t lose face in front of the king.”

My chest aches. I’d thought Sebastian had chosen me on a whim—that he simply wanted to become King quickly. “But if King Hart fears you’re making a rash choice,” I say, “how is it that I’m here now?”

“I refused to accept the throne.” He presses his lips into a firm line and creases his forehead. “I told the king I could not rule without at least having a chance at happiness. He instructed me to take you. To make my choice and be done with it.” His eyes scan my face. “I’d proven to him that I could be strong when I’d ended my friendship with Devlan, but I couldn’t keep myself from you, Zara. So, he caved on this one stipulation for me to take the crown.” He pauses. “I believe he took pity on me.”

Fear envelops my core. Icy fingers worm their way down my spine, and I shiver. Pity? I’ve heard many things about King Hart, pity never being one of them. But as I stare at Sebastian—open and vulnerable—I consider the possibility that a father, even one as frightening as King Hart, could find it within himself to grant his son what he wants of happiness.

Another, chilling thought spikes my blood. What Sebastian wants is me. If King Hart has agreed to Sebastian’s condition to rule the kingdom, my imprisonment is King Hart’s doing. I’m an ultimatum, a token of peace between them. King Hart will keep me here at all costs to ensure his only son takes the throne after him.

More so than Sebastian’s, I’m King Hart’s possession.

And I’m not going anywhere.

TEN

Sebastian guides me to the bank, settling us near the water. “I noticed you weren’t wearing my commitment gift today.”

My hand goes to my chest, my palm flat against my skin. Damn. I’d forgotten to pick it up off the floor this morning. Did Madity find it? Where is it now? Showing that kind of disrespect toward the prince surely won’t go unpunished. My hand shakes as I lower it to my lap.

I attempt to stutter out a response. Before any words pass my lips, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out the silver locket, dangling it before me.

My breath halts in my chest.

“Your maid found it this morning. She said the clasp had broken and that it must have slipped off during the night.” His eyes search mine as his fingers work the clasp. “I had it repaired.”

“Yes—thank you. I was going to have it fixed.” I plan to hug Madity the next time I see her.

He nods, but his eyes squint, conveying his disbelief. His lips tighten into a forced smile. “Zara, I know all this is not easy for you. Everything that has happened to you these past few days must be difficult. But, please allow me the chance to prove my affections for you are true.”

I swallow hard, and an aching lump catches in my throat. After everything he’s confessed, I can’t lead him to believe I’ll ever reciprocate his feelings. He’s battling internal demons over his rule of the kingdom. Even if one day my feeling could change, for now, I can’t add to that confusion. “Sebastian, I would like us to be friends.”

“Friends.” He spits the word as if it’s foul.

“Yes.” I force my shoulders back, gaining courage. “You don’t truly know me, and I don’t know you at all. Marriage arrangements may work this way for the era, but we don’t have to abide by them.” I suck in a breath. “We can be friends instead.”

His eyes travel over my features, and he bites down on his bottom lip. I become nervous that I’ve gone too far, until he says, “For now, Zara.”

My mouth parts. What was I expecting him to do? Call off the betrothal? Open the gate and allow me to walk out? He’s the prince and used to getting his way. I’m back to either convincing him that he doesn’t want to wed me or seeing my escape plan through.

“Come.” He jars me from my strained thoughts, handing me the necklace and helping me to my feet. “We have little time for your lesson if we want to make it back before your maid sends out a search party.” He laughs, and like that, his voice is frivolous and light. Though now, knowing all that I know, I can hear the hesitancy in it, too, the concern that I may never return his feelings.

I turn, my hand clutching the silver locket, my mouth opening to say what I must. “Sebastian.”