Chapter 21
Ryzen
The gentle sway of the boat was soothing, the flowing breeze that tousled my hair like that of a lover’s caress.
Muted anger still bubbled beneath my skin, the looming dark clouds parallel to my mood.
I had called Bastian my friend, had been the one who suggested him as a steward. And what he attempted to do… what intentions he held for Lyn… I shuddered, my jaw clenched tight.
“Ryzen.”
I hadn’t heard her sneak up behind me due to the dull rumble of thunder.
The wind blew Lyn’s hair across her face and this time, I didn’t hesitate before I moved to her and brushed it away. She pulled her white shawl tighter around her, the wind turning colder, her skin seeming paler.
“Are you alright?” I asked, barely recognizing the softness of my voice. I hadn’t asked her the extent to which things had gone, if he ever got a chance to… hurt her.
“Yes,” she whispered, her eyes stark and clear.
I hadn’t realized I was gripping her waist until the boat rocked to the left and she held on to my arms.
Maybe I wasn’t thinking clearly or maybe the strange weather was playing tricks on me, for I reached up to cup her face when she closed her eyes.
How many times had I thought about doing this and more? But I wouldn’t ask anything of her, not when she seemed in so fragile a state.
So I wordlessly pulled her to my chest and held her there.
~
Saying that Rorcan was furious was an understatement.
My brother was one who practiced utmost control in all matters but when I told him of the events that had transpired in Ramshore, silvery wisps had covered his white-knuckled fists and he demanded to go settle things.
I assured him that I had taken care of it and he said he’ll see to it that Bastian Ptorik’s ambitions are shot down. His financials are to be frozen, his estate and other holdings seized.
“How is she?” he at last asked, his arms crossed as he stood in the meeting room, facing the ocean.
“I think she’ll be fine,” I said, though I wanted to say otherwise. “I’ll check on her.”
He turned to me at that. “We need to tell Mother.”
I huffed out a breath, even though I knew he was right.
“I’ll speak to her,” he said and left after squeezing my shoulder.
~
I knocked once and then twice.
It didn’t take her long to open the door.
She appeared completely fine, her hair half up, the white sleeves of her gown accentuating how slender her arms were.
“Hi.”
“Hi,” she said tentatively.
“Can I come in?”
With a nod, she let me in. When I turned back to her, my hands shoved into the pockets of my pants, I only stared, not knowing what to say.
She fiddled with the skirts of her long gown.
“I-”
“You-”
We both let out a nervous chuckle.
“You were saying,” I said in an attempt to be gentlemanly, waving my arm.
She drew in a deep breath.
“I- I think…” She huffed out a breath and then clutching her hands tight in front of her, she rushed, “I think I’m starting to have feelings for you.”
To be continued…
Yeah,....😍...finally!