The Starlit Prince

The night air sailed through my hair, drying it, as we cantered down the darkened lane. On this part of the estate, the woods were thick, and the roads rarely used. Fireflies danced among the trees. I didn’t see any pixies, which meant Talia had likely come this way. The wily little creatures preferred to cavort in private, and humans were entirely too loud to sneak up on a pixie.

Espera tossed his head as I slowed him to a walk, but he obeyed. Silence clung to the otherwise jubilant forest. Even the cicadas and the frogs had ceased their songs. Humans had a way of silencing nature, and I felt her presence before I spotted her sitting on a rock, knees drawn up beside a saddled white horse.

She didn’t notice me, her dull human senses allowing me ample time to watch her before she heard or saw me. A stag moved in the woods, deep to the left. I could only see him for a second, and then he was gone, but his spooked departure startled Talia, and she stood on the rock, eager to catch a glimpse of whatever had made that small rustle.

Her slender frame clad in dark riding attire blended into the shadows, but the lack of light was no trouble for my eyes. I dismounted and with a quiet command ordered Espera to walk softly as we drew nearer. I was almost upon her before her head whipped around. So violent was her movement that she lost her balance.

I moved without thinking, stretching out my arms to catch her, but she’d already steadied herself without my help. For a moment, I stared up at her, troubled by the way she peered into my eyes yet completely unable to look away.

Finally, reason returned to me, and I dropped my arms.

“Monsters walk these woods at night. You should be more careful.”

She climbed down from the rock, her eyes darting around the dark forest. When she reached the forest floor, she stood too near.

I coughed and stepped backward. “It isn’t safe here. I am not…safe for you.”

Her mouth parted, and for several seconds she hesitated; the anger and defiance on her face warned me that she was preparing to battle each of my efforts to push her away. She had no fear. I would need to change that.

“You saved my parents from poverty, and me from a life of ruin, which would certainly not be safe for me.”

Her fiery demeanor brought a slight smile to my face, but I quickly shuttered my expression. A second too late. Encouraged by my smile, her hand reached out and touched the small splinter on my forehead.

Stars and sun, it was torture not to wrap my hand around her warm fingers and press my lips to her palm. Stay your hand. Stay your wretched heart, I commanded myself.

Fists formed at my sides. She noticed and quickly removed her hand. In that withdrawal, a world died.

Good. It was a world I could never have.

- Marriage of Convenience
- Married to the Villain
- Villain Redemption Arc
- Slow Burn
- Star-Crossed Love
- Only One Horse
- Tending Wounds
- Touch Her and Die
- Romance Heat Level: Only kisses. Best for readers 15+.

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