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“Rhyland wants to be king He’s drea as I can remember”
He sighs tiredly “That’s not what I’ about”
“What are you talking about, then? You’re being very confusing, even for you”
His lips pull into a grin, but then his smile fades quickly as he sniffs the air “What the …?” He tenses, rising to his feet, his eyes fixed on the trees before us “So”
The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as I stuaze, but all I see are trees That doesn’t sley is an euard the king and queen, another reason I worry everything is about to change If he senses so is
“What is it?” I ask, squinting against the sunlight
He holds up a finger then inches toward the ledge of the rock and peers down “Well, this isn’t good”
Panic flares through me as I rush to his side to see what sort of trouble we’re about to get into When I peer over the edge, however, all I see are trees, dirt, and more trees
“I don’t see anything,” I whisper, glancing up at Kingsley
Only, he’s no longer at my side
I whirl around,the top of the rock He either took off somewhere or vanished into thin air Since vampires aren’t known for their stellar teleportation skills, my bet is the first
“Kingsley” I inch toward the opposite side of the rock “Quitaround”
The whisper of the breeze is my only answer
I shudder This is so bad
“This isn’t funny—”
As the tips of ain, a swish of air rushes across ure breezes past me
“Kings?” A nervous edge creeps into my tone “Please stop This isn’t funny anymore”
A soft giggle travels up fro to Kingsley
Sucking in a breath, I lean forward and peer over the—
Lips touch ers splay around my waist “Be careful If you fell, my heart would be crushed forever”
I let out a Banshee of a squeal for the second tiover my feet My stoe Sure, the fall wouldn’t killme, I’d land aardly and probably break a bone Luckily, the fingers onme in place Then a very familiar chuckle touches my ear
“Relax, Rave, I’d never let you fall”
ShakingRhyland “You knohen I becaale brothers, everyone said I was crazy, that you guys were trouble and would get ht”
His pierced lips curve into a s across his forehead as the wind picks up “Right or wrong is beside the point Trouble or not, you still love us Or well, sley, too”
I dra heart It’s been doing that for the past several months, every time he smiles or teases me, or tucks a strand of hair behind otten that Rhyland and I are just friends Or that I o that I’d never fall for either of the Midnitegale brothers And I refuse to go back on that vow
Besides, not only does Rhyland seeand my sister’s husband And while he may not be a fan of Nadine, he’ll eventually fall in love with her That’s how the rules work Although, I’ve often wondered how love can come with rules, but what do I know? I’ve never been in love before
My heart dances inat my denial
“Aw, you’re so cute when you pretend you don’t loveanother stupid flutter from my heart
Daets me into trouble The little kiss on the nose doesn’tthat sort of stuff to me for a few years now
I roll hs at me
I sigh in defeat “Fine, I er and thumb a sliver of an inch apart “Maybe about this much”
Reer farther apart “No way Your love for ”
I snort a laugh “You’re such a vampire nerd”
“If I am, then what does that make you?” he questions with a smirk
“The poor vah for you that she sacri
ficed her entire life just to be your friend”
“Wow, she sounds pretty a”
“She completely is”
We stare each other down then bust up laughing All jokes aside, Rhyland is anything but a va Kingsley, too Speaking of which …
“Where’d your brother run off to?” I question “I’ someplace far away, so I won’t kick his ass for the little stunt he pulled”
“Aw, Rave, please don’t teaseto a stop behind Rhyland “Always joking about kickingwickedly “Yet you never actually do it”
“Be grateful I don’t I’d totally win” I’m so full of shit I couldn’t even kick a bat’s ass if I tried
Kingsley chews on his bottom lip “Maybe I want you to win The idea does sound pretty appealing now that I think about it” He gives round and roll around a little bit Maybe even take our clothes off”
I keep a neutral expression, despitecheeks “How many times have I told you, in your dreams, pretty boy?”
“Aw, did you hear that, Rhy?” Kingsley teases “Rave thinks I’m pretty”
“Yep, as pretty as a pixie” My s compared to pixies
Kingsley wets his lips, his eyes darkening “Well, you look like so I’d like to take a bite—”
“Kingsley, knock it off,” Rhyland warns, his fingers twitching on my hip
Huh? Since when does Rhyland get irritated when Kingsley and I joke around with each other?
“I know you’re stressed, but you need to fucking relax” Kingsley shakes his head at Rhyland “I’ Always has been”