Chapter 21

Arya

“It’s my honor,” I tell Arthur in a low voice, but butterflies are fluttering inside my chest. I look into his eyes and it was as though a spell is cast on me.

I can’t look away.

He leans forward and I find myself hoping that he’ll just go all the way and kiss me. The memory of that kiss is still very much fresh and I want it to happen again. I put my hand on his chest, hoping that’s enough of a sign to make him do it. . . .

But then he pulls away and whispers, “We can’t.”

And that’s what makes me snap back to my senses. “You’re right.” I shake my head to get rid of the daze. “We’re still out and people might see us.”

“I know.” He sighs and I feel his frustration. “Your parents . . . they’re not from here, are they?”

“No,” I say after a beat. I almost told him that my parents were the King and the Queen, and I don’t know what kind of trouble that would get me in. “They’re from another place . . . another Lycan kingdom. They sent me here to study and train because . . . well, it’s