Chapter 12

12

N eve didn't want to go. She snuggled closer into the warmth of Pine's body and tried not to think about what the rest of the day would bring.

The New Year's Celebration.

The end of … this.

Two weeks ago, she'd be running for the spaceship. Two weeks ago, she'd be happy to put this all behind her as a weird and impossible memory.

Two weeks ago, she hadn't fallen in love.

She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to keep her groan to herself.

The sun poured through the window, illuminating the room in a dreamy soft glow. Pine was a soothing presence beside her; his deep, rhythmic breaths were calming the storm of doubts swirling in her mind. She wanted to freeze this moment and make it last forever, but she couldn't ignore the fact that this was their last day together, and soon she'd have to go home.

She woke Pine with kisses, and they stayed in bed until the sun was high in the sky, but eventually they had to get up.

"I think you'll like the dress," Pine told her as he reluctantly let go of her hand so she could head to her room to get ready.

After the silver dress he'd given her, Neve had trusted him to order her a dress for the New Year's Ceremony. "I'm sure I'll love it."

The moment hung between them, the words loaded with much more, but Neve couldn't bring herself to confess. It was too much, too vulnerable.

What if he didn't feel the same?

She fled to her room and had to stifle a gasp when she saw the dress waiting for her.

It was a breathtaking creation, a deep sapphire blue that shimmered with an inner light. The fabric flowed like water, cascading down to the floor in elegant folds.

Delicate silver embroidery adorned the bodice, intricate patterns swirling across the fabric that reminded her of frost on a windowpane. The neckline dipped low, accentuated by off-the-shoulder sleeves that would leave her collarbone exposed.

As she ran her fingers over the material, Neve felt a lump form in her throat. This wasn't just a dress; it was a statement. Pine had chosen something that would make her stand out. A man didn't give a woman a dress like this if he didn't feel something.

With trembling hands, she slipped into the gown. It fit like a glove, as if it had been crafted specifically for her body. When she looked in the mirror, she barely recognized herself. The woman staring back at her looked regal, powerful, and undeniably loved.

For a moment, Neve allowed herself to imagine a future where she belonged in this world, where she could stand beside Pine as his. What would it be like to be loved like that? To never doubt it? To not put conditions on it?

She had to push the thoughts aside.

Hair and makeup were not something she could do on her own, but the same maid who had helped her get ready for the Yule Ball what felt like a million years ago helped her again.

The maid did an admirable job and then left, leaving Neve to contemplate her fate.

Ugh. She was being dramatic. It was a party, not a firing squad.

The door cracked open, and Pine stuck his head in. "May I join you?"

Neve smoothed her hands over the bodice of her dress. "Of course."

He entered the room, and Neve's heart stuttered. He was resplendent in formal attire that perfectly complemented her gown. No one would question that they belonged together.

He wore a tailored jacket of deep midnight blue, almost black, with intricate silver embroidery along the lapels and cuffs that mirrored the patterns on her dress. The jacket fit him perfectly, accentuating his broad shoulders and trim waist. Underneath, he wore a crisp white shirt with a high collar, fastened with a silver pin that gleamed in the light. His trousers were the same deep blue as the jacket, falling in a clean line to polished black boots.

His hair was styled neatly, emphasizing the sharp angles of his face. As he moved closer, Neve caught a whiff of a spicy, smoky scent that was uniquely Pine.

He looked …

Damn it, they didn't have enough time for her to rip his clothes off and show him exactly what that outfit was doing for her.

He had a black box in his hands that was about the size of a folder and an inch or two thick. A jewelry box.

"I thought this would complete the look." Pine opened the box and showed her a gorgeous sapphire necklace set in silver and diamonds. The sapphires gleamed, their deep blue hue a perfect match for her dress. The intricate silver setting and twinkling diamonds added a level of elegance that took her breath away.

"Pine, it's … gorgeous," she whispered, her fingers hovering over the jewels but not quite touching them. The necklace had to be far too expensive … or priceless. It was meant for a princess, not some normal girl from Earth.

He stepped closer, his eyes intense as they locked with hers. "Will you wear it?"

Her heart raced as she nodded, words caught in her throat. Pine carefully lifted the necklace from its velvet cushion and moved behind her. Neve swept her hair to the side, exposing her neck. She shivered as his fingers brushed against her skin, gently fastening the clasp.

The weight of the necklace settled against her collarbone, cool at first but quickly warming to her skin. When Pine's hands came to rest on her shoulders, she leaned back into his touch, savoring the moment.

"Look," he murmured, guiding her to face the mirror.

The necklace was the perfect finishing touch. It nestled perfectly in the dip of her neckline, drawing attention to the elegant curve of her neck and the bare expanse of her shoulders.

"Beautiful," Pine said, his eyes meeting hers in the mirror. The pride and affection in his gaze made her heart ache.

He wasn't talking about the necklace.

Neve turned to face him, her hands coming to rest on his chest. She couldn't just leave without telling him how she felt. "I ," she began, struggling to find the right words.

Before she could gather up the rest of her courage, a servant knocked on the door to let them know the carriage was waiting. Neve hated how relieved she felt.

She laced her arm through Pine's, and they headed for the celebration.

* * *

Pine didn't tell Neve she was wearing his mother's necklace. When he'd spoken with the dressmaker, he had the necklace in mind, but he hadn't been sure that he would put it on her neck.

Now he couldn't stop staring. The necklace glimmered against her skin, catching the light with every movement. It was as if it had been made for her, though he knew its history stretched back generations in his family.

Perhaps not made for her, but meant for her.

His mother's necklace. An heirloom passed down through the centuries, worn by the most revered dragon ladies of his lineage. And now it graced Neve's neck, looking more at home there than he could have ever imagined.

He hadn't told her its significance. Part of him was afraid—afraid of what it might mean, afraid of her reaction. The past two weeks had been paradise, but they hadn't spoken of anything that might come beyond them, and Pine hadn't asked her to stay on Vemion.

How could he? She belonged back on Earth. She had a family there, a life there. What could he offer her besides jewels and his heart?

The New Year's Ceremony was a fete much like the Yule Ball. Dragon lords and ladies from across the kingdom came and showed off in their finery. They danced for the king and dazzled each other with their wit and wealth.

Pine would have gone mad without Neve by his side.

And when the orchestra began to play, it was only natural that he held out his hand and invited his woman to the dance floor.

As the music began, Pine placed his hand on Neve's waist, drawing her close. There was a proper distance he was supposed to maintain, a nod towards propriety, but he didn't give a damn.

"They're staring at us," Neve whispered as he pulled her close before a spin.

"They're admiring you," he murmured back.

A blush crept up Neve's cheeks. Pine's heart felt stuck in a vise. How could he let her go? How could he watch her walk away, knowing that he would never see her again?

They danced through the song and into another, and Pine started to feel even more eyes on them. These weren't in envy.

Something was going on.

"Pine," Neve said softly, her voice barely audible above the music. "There's something I want to say."

He'd dealt with nerves before. He was a dragon lord, a man who could stand before an army and hold it off until help arrived. At least in theory, he'd never needed to prove that to anyone. But it felt like Neve held his life in her hands.

One word, and he would shatter.

Her tongue darted out to lick her lips, and she took a deep breath. "I?—"

There was a crash behind them, followed by the loud marching steps of soldiers. "Lord Pine!" A voice boomed as the entire party ground to a halt around them. "By order of the king, you are under arrest for treason!"

The guards swept in, pushing Neve out of the way before surrounding Pine, pikes and fireproof shields held in their hand. The head guardsman held dragon fire in his palm, a threat and a promise of what would happen if Pine resisted.

"What are you doing? Stop!" Neve struggled against one of the guards, trying to get to him.

Their eyes met, and his heart leapt at the emotion he saw on her face. But he didn't dare to hope it was real. Not for him.

"It will be alright," he told her, ignoring the guards but staying still. "Find Briar. I'm sure this is some misunderstanding."

Before he could say anything else, the guards rushed him away.