I slowly untie the ribbon, knowing whatever happens next is my own damn fault. The moment I open the box, confusion sets in.
"What is this?" I ask, peering up at Rhyland. Is this some sort of joke?
Inside the box isn't a curse, but the most beautiful choker I've ever seen.
He smiles amusedly. "What it looks like." He picks up the choker and holds it up in front of me. The moonlight glistening through the window reflects against the crimson rose trimmed by swirls of black, thorny metal.
"It's beautiful," I say, realizing my stupid mistake a second later.
I just gave him the upper hand.
I hold my breath, waiting for him to laugh in my face and tell me the choker isn't for me, but all he does is lower the choker with a sigh.
"I wish I could let you keep it," he says quietly. "But if anyone saw you wearing it, I'd get in trouble. I can only give it to you for tonight."
I try my best to mask my disappointment. "Why will you get into trouble?"
He shrugs, seeming sad, which is strange. Rhyland usually seems so … empty.
"Because I will." His gaze elevates to mine. "But I might not get into trouble if I give it to you and you just don't wear it."
"Maybe you should just give it to someone who can wear it," I suggest, unsure what's going on.
"I don't want to give it to someone else." He raises his hand with the choker dangling from his fingers. "Maybe you can keep it somewhere until it's safe for you to wear it."
I still don't know if this is a trick, but I really want the choker. Not just to have it, but I like the idea of getting a present from someone who isn't my parents.
"I could keep it in my jewelry box." I point at a silver box on my dresser. "It has a charm on it so only I can open it."
He tracks my gaze, wavers, then nods. "Okay."
Smiling, I reach for the choker, but he moves his hand right before my fingers brush the velvet strap.
I knew it. This was a trick. I'm so stupid.
"I want something in return," he whispers.
I eye the door, wondering if I should just run before this blows up in my face.
He hooks a finger under my chin and forces me to look at him. "It's not a bad thing. I hope not, anyway. What I want … " His gaze drops to my lips. "I want to kiss you."
"What?" I whisper in disgusted shock.
He chuckles. "Well, I was hoping for a little less disgust, but I guess I sort of deserve it." His eyes flick to my lips again. "You don't have to, if you don't want to." His gaze meets mine again, he pauses, and then suddenly he's leaning in.
Slowly, slowly, slowly, his lips inch toward mine.
I tense, wanting to flee, wanting to do the smart thing and run away from whatever disaster is waiting for me when-and if-our lips touch. But I've never been kissed before, and I want to know what it feels like to connect with someone like that. To connect with someone at all.
So, I remain frozen as he moves in for the kiss. He takes his time, his gaze shifting back and forth between my lips and eyes. Back and forth, back and forth, until his lips finally brush mine.
He doesn't deepen the kiss, remaining completely still. I almost pull back, but then his lips start moving carefully, gently, softly. I still don't move. Barely breathe. Waiting for … Well, I'm not really sure. I'm so confused. Lost. Worried. Then his tongue parts my lips and slips inside my mouth, and all thoughts and worries leave my mind.
He tastes like warm magic, sparkling moonlight, and blood frosting. It's a strange, wonderfully delicious combination that I want to taste more of. But as quickly as the kiss started, he's pulling away.
His eyes are glazed over, and his chest rises and crashes with his ragged breathing. "I'm sorry," he whispers. Without looking at me, he gets up and sets the choker down on my dresser. Then he walks toward the doorway.
"Sorry for what … ?" I trail off as he slips out the door, taking the memory right along with him.
My eyes pop open as I drift away from the dream … the memory … Well, I'm not really sure what just happened. Whether I was dreaming or not. I mean, I was asleep, so a dream seems like the better answer, but the images … Rhyland's lips against mine … Him giving me the choker … It felt so real. Realer than some of my real-life memories.
I stare up at the black glittery ceiling that belongs to my new bedroom-the queen's chambers-with my fingers touching my lips as I replay the kiss repeatedly.
I've never kissed a guy before, so I don't know what a kiss feels like. But that kiss in my dream … it was more wonderful than I ever could've imagined.