Chapter 56: Everly

Chapter

Fifty-Six

EVERLY

My heart races as I shift and boldly wrap my arms around his neck. "I love you." The moment the words leave my lips, I freeze.

Did I really say that out loud?

My cheeks burn hotter than the sun.

Cenric's eyes widen.

"I...I…mean..." I stammer, desperately trying to backpedal, "…I love your surcoat. Yes. It's very black."

The gods have mercy!

Maybe I can find a nice, deep hole to crawl into and never emerge. Or perhaps Hawke will conveniently show up and whisk me away with his air magic. Anything to escape this mortifying moment.

"What I meant to say was..." I trail off, realizing I have absolutely no idea how to salvage this situation.

"You love me?" Cenric asks.

I swallow, my throat suddenly dry as sand. There's no turning back now, no clever quip to save me. I meet his gaze and give a small, almost imperceptible nod.

"How long have you loved me, Evie?" he asks, his blue eyes searching mine.

I bite my lower lip, debating whether to answer truthfully or make up some ridiculous lie. But when I look at Cenric's earnest expression, I decide honesty is the best policy. After all, I've already dug myself into this hole—might as well keep digging.

"Since I was fourteen." I brace myself for his reaction. To my surprise, Cenric's face remains calm, almost...pleased?

His fingertips brush against my skin, tracing a path from my wrist to my elbow. His fingers continue their journey, skimming along my upper arm and leaving a trail of tingling sensations in their wake.

Warmth glints in his eyes as he tilts my face up and leans down, brushing his lips against mine. Soft at first, like a whisper. Then firmer, more insistent. My eyes flutter closed as I melt into him.

His hand slides to the nape of my neck as my hands find their way to his chest, feeling the steady thump of his heart beneath my palms. It races as fast as mine.

All the pain and fear of the past few days disappears. There are no rebels. No threats. No impossible choices.

There's just us, finally brave enough to acknowledge what's been simmering between us for so long.

Cenric breaks the kiss first, pulling back enough for our eyes to meet. I frown, already missing the warmth of his lips .

He brushes his knuckles against my cheek. "Later."

"Why not now?" I whisper, unable to keep the longing from my voice.

Cenric's eyes dart to the tent flap, then back to me. "I don't want people walking in on us," he says, his words making reality return— our reality.

We're not alone here. We're in the middle of a camp full of warriors, any of whom could stumble upon us at any moment.

He grasps my waist, gently lifting me off his lap. My legs wobble as I settle into the chair beside him, hands gripping the edge of the seat to steady myself and calm my racing heart.

The tent flap rustles, and Luc bursts in, his chest heaving, as if he's run across the entire camp. "I found them."