Page 17 of Of Kings and Thieves
“Don’t say it.” I twisted my hand out of his grasp, daring him to say more in front of Magnus and Killian.
You wanted more, he finished, smugness dripping from his tone, even in my head. Admit it, Samara. This connection has you curious about revisiting… other aspects of our relationship. Can’t get enough of me, can you?
My face was on fire as I looked away from him. Magnus was studying his boots again, and Killian was polishing a short, curved dagger. When I looked back at Col, his hazel gaze was intense.
I glared at him. You have an overactive imagination.
Col scoffed—silently. I’m not the one imagining what we could get up to. You have a dirty mind, little siren. His gaze raked over me in a way that made my pulse skip. The possibilities are rather endless.
I shook my head, but it only sent pain through me. “Irritating, insufferable man. Get out of my sight before I put a gag on that mouth of yours.”
“Kinky,” Col said, eyes bright with laughter, “but that’s always been something you like.”
With an indignant huff, I turned in my seat, thinking to go find a tree to hide behind, or to find a hole to crawl into.
That won’t help you, little siren. I can always find you now.
For some reason, the playful threat made my heart beat louder. Get out of my head.
Col’s laughter filled the camp as he relented, though amusement continued to drift across our connection.
Infuriating, arrogant, impossible man.
Col grabbed my hand, drawing my gaze to his. “You’re thinking too loud.” A wry smile touched his lips as his thumb rubbed slow circles over my knuckles. “But I don’t mind these thoughts you’re having about me.”
Another flush crept up my neck at his gentle tone and the unspoken promise in those words.
Magnus grunted, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “This is all quite touching, but there are remaining questions.” His gaze flicked between us, one blond brow cocked in question. “How has no one known about the magic of the rings before now?”
“The rings are a safeguard. They must be.” Killian’s gravelly voice cut in, drawing our attention. Despite the fire before him and the sunlight through the trees, he seemed cloaked in shadows, as if his clothing absorbed all the light and trapped it forever. “Col’s parents—King Edric and Queen Elysande of Iron Deep—must have kept the rings secret so that no one could sever their connection… until they died, of course.”
I glanced at Col, who had gone still. “They always did seem to know what the other was thinking. As a child, I just thought they loved each other. Now we know they could communicate via their thoughts, and how. And these rings are royal heirlooms, passed down through each successor to the throne of Iron Deep for generations. My parents always wore them.”
“How did you get them?” I asked, knowing Col had fled Iron Deep the night his parents died, barely escaping with his life.
“The chamberlain who smuggled me my father’s sword also gave me the rings.” Col went silent, his gaze faraway as he looked down at the raven ring. Finally, he continued, as if something had clicked into place. “He may have known about the bond they created. My mother was dead, my father wouldn’t need them anymore. So I received them with Bloodsong. At the time, I didn’t think anything of it because the sword was more important to a twelve-year-old. The rings I kept as sentimental items.”
I took Col’s hand in mine, thinking how awful it must have been to lose his entire family and home in one night, and the void it must have created in him. I knew something about grief, and the death of a family member was something one never got over. My chest tightened, and I thought of my family, now farther away than I’d ever dreamed. I had been gone too long.
An uneasy silence settled around us, the weight of our discovery heavy in the air. I couldn’t shake the sudden anxiety that gripped my chest, knowing Col now had a direct line to my innermost thoughts and feelings. And the pain there.
To lighten the mood, I let out a half-hearted chuckle. “Well, this is certainly going to make things interesting. Just promise me you won’t eavesdrop on my thoughts when I’m considering all the reasons why you’re unbearable.”
Col smirked and raised an eyebrow. “Only if you promise not to use this connection to berate me with your charming sarcasm at every opportunity.”
“Deal.”
Col took my chin and turned my face toward him, bringing me out of my spiraling thoughts. “Are you okay with this?”
His concern washed over me in a warm wave. I smiled. “Yes… No. I’m not sure.”
“Seriously, Samara,” Col said, his teasing tone giving way to sincerity. “If it ever becomes too much, you can simply remove the ring. I promise never to misuse our shared thoughts or make you uncomfortable.”
I searched his eyes for any hint of deceit, but found only warmth and genuine concern. A wave of relief washed over me, and I gave him a small smile. “Thank you. That means more than you know.”
I nestled into his side, overcome by a swell of affection for this man who had come to mean so much to me. Here, in this quiet moment, I could almost forget the dangers that lurked outside our circle of light. Almost, but not quite.
“What are we going to do now?” I asked. “About the rings, I mean. Keep our connection a secret?”