Beyond(13)

His gaze softens. “No, I’m not. I didn’t take it well, I’ll admit. But now, well, I’m getting used to the idea of having you by my side. I thought you’d be a liability, but maybe you’ll be an asset.”

Not the word every woman wants to hear, but my heart warms all the same. I didn’t want to be decorative, I wanted to be useful. And I like that he sees that in me.

He leans forward and takes my stick from me. I breathe in his fresh scent, mixed with a hint of sweat. He smells so good. He’s wearing a t-shirt that shows off his impressive biceps, and a pair of dark shorts sitting low on his lean hips. His hazel eyes are staring at me knowingly, his lips quirked up on the corners.

“See something you like?”

I sigh. “Yeah, but then you opened your mouth and ruined it.”

Dane laughs, throwing his head back. I glance around, not wanting him to draw attention to us. It was evening and there weren’t many people around, but you never know.

“Come on,” he says, shaking his head, his eyes still smiling. “Tomorrow we can work on archery.”

I smile smugly. That was one thing I excelled in.

“You did well today,” he continues as we walk to my room. “You surprised me, that’s for damn sure.”

I beam at his compliment. “Thank you.”

“Sam’s been teaching you?” he asks, his tone even.

I nod. “He has. He’s been patient with me. I owe him a lot.”

He stays quiet after that.

We’re almost at my door when I hear a woman call his name.

“Dane, there you are,” she says, walking quickly towards us. Dane stiffens slightly, then looks down at me with a forced smile. “Are you okay to walk the rest of the way by yourself?”

I shake my head. “No. I’ve been told it’s dangerous.”

I think I see his eye twitch a little.

“Olivia--”

“Dane, I didn’t see you all day,” she says when she reaches us. She looks to me and smiles. “Hi, I’m Gina.”

She looks a little familiar, but I can’t place her. I’ve probably just seen her around the castle.

“Olivia,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. Was she his ex-girlfriend? Past fling? My mind was racing. What if he had a girlfriend when he was told he had to marry me? I didn’t even think of that. Fuck. I’m such a bad person. I didn’t want him to be apart from the woman he loved. I wouldn’t do that to him.

“Of course. I know who you are,” she beams. “The princess. Everyone talk about you.”

“Good to know,” I reply, saying each word slowly. What do people say about me? I could only imagine.

I study her pretty face, and only then do I remember where I’ve seen her before.

Just fucking great.





Chapter Seven



“You look familiar,” I say, seeing Dane wince slightly. She was the woman from the brothel, the one who opened the door. I felt shy seeing her now, since I saw her practically naked.

“Oh, do I?” she says. “I don’t think I’ve ever formally met you.”

“How do you two know each other?” I ask, turning from her to Dane.

Gina flashes Dane a coy look. “We go way back. We came here together about three years ago.”

“I see,” I murmur, my chest tightening. “I’m going to go to bed. Nice meeting you Gina.”

She smiles. “Pleasure was all mine Olivia.”

Great, she was nice too.

Dane grips my upper arm. “Gina give me a second.”

He leads me further down the hall, until we reach my room door. “It’s not what you think.”

I pull out my key and open the door. “It usually never is.”

“Olivia--”

“I’m sorry I messed up your life Dane,” I say sadly, stepping into my room and trying to close the door, but he puts his hand in to block it.

“No, you don’t get to make assumptions and then slam the door in my face,” he growls, pushing himself into the room and closing the door behind him.

“Gina is just a friend, all right?”

“So you’re saying you’ve never slept with her?” I ask, getting my answer when he looks away.

“About three years ago,” he replies. “Before we came here.”

I look down. “I see.”

“Friends ever since. And you don’t get to be mad. You only get to be mad for anything I do from now on, not before.”

I hated that that was fair.

He steps closer to me and lifts my chin with his index finger. “Okay?”

I nod. “Okay.”

I hold my breath as he lowers his head and grazes his lips with mine, barely a touch. “And that’s how Lars is going to be instructed to kiss you.”