A Dawn of Onyx (The Sacred Stones, #1)(43)

“I’m sorry,” I said. “About your men.”

But he didn’t answer me.

We hiked in silence until the steep, leaf-shrouded pathway finally gave way to an opening. A long, rolling field dotted with soft pink thistle and lavender stretched before us. In the distance, tucked up against a rocky, mountainous wall, was a glittering, turquoise pool.

My heart leaped, anxiety momentarily forgotten. It was more beautiful than anything I had seen in Abbington. In my life, really.

I peered up at Kane, sweaty from our hike. I wanted to cut through that smug exterior more than I could explain. “Race you there?”

Kane’s eyes widened and he laughed—a real, booming peal that seemed to surprise even him. “Should we make it interesting?”

Though my heart spun at his words, I tapped my finger to my lips in playful thought. His eyes followed my finger to my mouth intently. “If I win, you have to answer any one question I ask with complete honesty.”

He pulled his shirt overhead and then removed his boots. His broad chest was even more magnificent than it had been that day in the infirmary. When our eyes met, my stomach flipped on itself.

Bad, bad, bad.

I dipped my eyes down to my heavy, dark clothing, and unlaced my corset.

“I must say I admire your determination,” he said, squinting up at the blue sky. “Fine. But if I win,” he flicked his gaze to me, “you tell me why you really wanted to come out here.”

I halted mid-pulling off my boot, and gaped at him.

“I am not quite as gullible as you seem to think I am,” he added with a smirk.

Shit. Now I really had to win.

“A truth for a truth,” I said. “Sounds fair.”

Kane looked positively delighted, and I let confidence color my gaze back at him. Matching his arrogance sent a surge of exhilaration through me. We stood there grinning at each other in determination like idiots.

“We go on the count of three. First one to hit the water wins?”

I nodded.

“One. Two. Th—”

“Wait!” I stopped him. I couldn’t run well in this thick, wool dress, and our wager had left me feeling bold. I wanted dreadfully to see him cave, or falter in some way. I slipped the heavy dress over my head leaving me in a sleeveless chemise and thin undergarments.

A soft breeze kissed over my body, and I stretched like a cat in the sun.

I felt Kane’s eyes on me and peered over at him. His shadowed eyes traveled over my bare toes, up my exposed calves and thighs, roamed my silk-covered stomach and breasts, and landed on my face.

He looked pained.

“You all right over there?”

He shook his head. “Wicked little bird.”

I tried to conceal my smile.

I wasn’t sure what was going on—he had always been attractive. As a prisoner, as an infirmary patient, and even as a wicked king. But some of my searing hate had begun to slip through my fingers...

He cleared his throat. “All right, before you kill me. One. Two. Three.”

We both took off with blistering speed. I pumped my arms at my sides as the balls of my feet landed lightly on the mossy grass. I felt like I was running on air. The wind pulled my hair back and cooled my sunshine-warmed limbs. It had been too long—the sprint felt like coming home. I breathed in fresh, pine-laced air.

A wave of euphoria crashed over me and spurred me on faster.

To my right, Kane kept pace. His muscles flexed with each pump of his powerful arms, and he looked about as happy as I felt.

But he was picking up speed.

I dug deeper, upping my pace and leaning forward. This was the only thing I knew I was great at. Whenever I felt trapped, alone, pathetic… running reminded me that I could be strong. That all I needed were my own two feet and I could go anywhere. I gained on Kane with ease and saw a look of shock register on his face.

It was delicious.

We were only yards away from the water now and still almost neck and neck. I pushed harder until my lungs were burning, my shins were aching, and my heart raced in my ears. I thought of Kane’s face when he saw me undress and felt even stronger. I leaped into the air just a second before him and landed in the cold water with a splash.

“Aha!” I yelped, surfacing and wiping water from my face. “I won.”

Kane shook his hair out like a dog and attempted to knock some water from his ear. “Yeah, yeah, I saw,” he said, catching his breath.

I grinned and fell back into the pond, letting the chilly freshwater tickle over my scalp.

He studied me with amusement. “You are fast. Like a gazelle or something.”

“Thank you.”

“It must be because you’re so small. Less for your legs to carry,” he gestured at his broad torso.

I rolled my eyes. “Are you bragging, King Ravenwood? About your muscled form?” I tutted in mock disappointment.

“I’m touched you noticed.”

I knew we were flirting. It was despicable. But I was having a good time. It had been a very long while since I’d done anything of the sort.

He studied me, sparkling water raining into his eyes. “What are you thinking?”

I was sick of the half-truths. “That I am having fun. Somehow.”

The expression on Kane’s face said it was a better answer than he could have hoped for.