Chapter 19

Rebekah.

Edge of the Forest, King Liam’s Kingdom.

I can’t sleep.

The fire crackles low in the hearth, casting shadows that stretch, twist across the cottage walls. Trixie sleeps soundly beside me, her magic spent from the market incident days ago. But I lie awake, staring at the ceiling, his words echoing in my chest.

'She’s hunting girls like you.'

I curl deeper beneath the blanket, trying to feel warm, trying to pretend the ache in my heart is just fear and not something else. Not longing. Not the way his eyes held mine when he said he cared. Not the way his hand trembled slightly when he touched mine. Not the way I felt happy, knowing someone, a man cares for me. I think I've fallen. I don't know. It's impossible not to care for someone when they care for you like this.

He’s gone now. Off to the Vale. To war.