Violet
The bond tugged gently, pulling my attention toward the far side of the courtyard.
I frowned, turning away from the main entrance area.
He wasn’t coming through the front?
I imdiately shook off the thought. It wasn’t strange for him not to co through this place. I looked around at the lingering wolves in the area. He must want so peace and quiet and they would likely intercept him the mont he stepped into view.
I moved before I could second-guess myself, my feet carrying along the stone path that curved around the wide arc of the large castle. To my surprise, the part of the courtyard I was heading towards was empty, and a lot darker and secluded.
I stopped near the wall, my heart beating faster than it had any right to.
What was I even doing out here?
I didn’t have ti to answer my own question when his figure ca closer to the courtyard.
He stopped mid-stride, his eyes widening when he saw .
For a mont, we just stared at each other.
The next mont, he was standing right in front of .
"Violet?" His voice was soft, almost uncertain. "What are you doing out here?"
I looked away, suddenly unable to et his gaze.
"Welco back," I said quietly.
The words felt inadequate and I felt embarrassed.
He wasn’t saying anything and I glanced up at him. I took a step back at the faint happiness flashing through his eyes.
He took a step closer.
"Did you..." He paused, as though he didn’t quite believe what he was about to ask. "Did you wait outside for ?"
"I..." I whispered.
He slightly leaned forward as if to hear clearly.
I didn’t know why I didn’t just want to say yes.
This felt so strange, and I felt disturbed for what I wanted to do next.
My gaze darted around the courtyard, confirming what I had already sensed. No one else was here. No servants, no guards, no wolves waiting to pull him away.
Much less look.
It was just us.
Before I could lose my nerve, I stepped forward and pressed my lips to his cheek.
It was brief. Barely more than a brush of contact. But the mont I pulled back, the reality of what I had just done crashed over .
My face burned.
I stepped back quickly, putting distance between us, my heart pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears.
Rowan stood completely still.
His eyes were wide, his lips slightly parted. He looked so stunned, like I had done sothing far more shocking than a simple kiss on the cheek.
Before I could say anything, footsteps broke through the quiet.
Telsid appeared around the corner, another wolf at his side. He took in the scene with a single sharp glance, his gaze flicking between Rowan and .
If he noticed anything, which I was sure he would have due to Rowan’s perplexed face, Telsid didn’t comnt on it.
"My Lord," Telsid said smoothly, "Welco. How did the outlook go? Umbre brought up so urgent matters that require your attention."
Rowan didn’t move imdiately.
He was still looking at , that stunned expression frozen on his face.
Telsid cleared his throat. "My Lord."
Rowan blinked, finally seeming to co back to himself. He gave a small nod, and turned to his beta.
"Yes," he said, his voice slightly distant. "Of course."
Telsid stepped forward, gently ushering Rowan toward the castle entrance. The other wolf fell into step behind them.
As they walked away, Rowan glanced back at over his shoulder.
He still looked dumbfounded.
I watched them disappear through the doors, my heart still racing.
Why was he reacting like that? Had I really surprised him that much?
A cold thread of realization wound through my chest.
Had I been that distant with him that a simple kiss on the cheek left him looking like the ground had shifted beneath his feet?
The thought made a bit sad.
I stood there in the empty courtyard for a long mont, the cool evening air doing nothing to calm the heat still burning in my face.
[ - ]
I couldn’t stay in the castle.
The thought of running into Rowan again, of having to face him after what I had done, made my stomach twist with a nervous energy I didn’t know how to handle.
So I left.
The capital’s streets had more activity than during the day, which was a strange thing compared to Fresna’s capital. But certain areas were calr.
Lanterns glowed softly along the main paths, and the white-barked trees that lined the roads caught the fading light, their pale trunks almost luminous in the dusk.
I walked without direction, letting my feet carry wherever they wanted to go.
My fingers drifted to my lips and I asked myself why exactly had I done that?
His expressions had been a bit... adorable...
I pressed my hands to my cheeks, trying to will the heat away.
Up ahead, two familiar figures were walking along a quieter path that branched off from the main road.
Ana and Corin.
They hadn’t noticed and were walking close together, their shoulders nearly brushing.
I pulled back my syzygy instinctively, muting my presence so they wouldn’t sense approaching. I didn’t want to intrude. I just... watched.
Corin said sothing, and Ana laughed softly.
It surprised when Corin smiled.
It wasn’t his usual reserved expression. It was almost shy. And it was a look I had never seen on his face before.
What Bei had ntioned was now clear as day to . How had I missed that whenever I visited with them around?
Before I could process what I was seeing, an arm wrapped around my waist.
I was pulled backward into a narrow passageway, my back pressing against a solid chest.
My heart lurched into my throat as I spun around, and then Rowan’s lips t mine.
The kiss was sudden. His hand slid to the back of my head, fingers threading through my hair as he pulled closer.
His arm tightened around my waist like he was afraid I might disappear.
He pulled back slightly, his eyes gentle.
"You can’t do sothing like that and then run away."
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