Knightqueen (Oronis Knights #3)

Not like a woman who’d just bared her vulnerable heart to the man she loved.

She couldn’t mean it.

Because I love you.

Sten felt like someone had hit him in the head as he followed Carys through the tunnel. He couldn’t quite get his brain working properly.

Knightqueen Carys couldn’t be in love with him. Him? A battle-scarred guard? He wasn’t worthy of her. There was no way he could sit beside her. He wasn’t king material.

She couldn’t mean it.

“Sten, look there’s light.”

He saw the glow ahead, and followed her. She’d risked herself to save him. She was so selfless, beautiful, and kind.

She looked so slim and lithe in her black armor. It slicked over her body, and at least now she had some shoes on her feet.

They reached the crumbled entrance and stepped out into sunlight.

The ocean was closer; the air held a tang of salt. The landscape was different, as well. Less rugged. The giant mountains had softened into rolling hills. There were fewer rocks, and more vegetation. Ahead lay a field of deep-green grass, dotted with multicolored flowers.

“Let’s head that way.” Carys set off at a quick pace.

His gaze dropped to her long legs, and desire stabbed him in the gut.

You’re mine, Thorsten.

I will never leave you.

Because I love you.

As the words echoed in his head, his chest tightened. He hated feeling this strange mix of confusion and need.

Such a fierce need for her.

He’d been fighting to keep all his feelings for her locked away for so long. For years, he’d never, ever let himself put a name to them.

He knew very little about love. His mother had died when he was a boy, and he only had vague memories of gentle hugs and soft laughter. His father had been a simple, gruff man. He’d been a good father, but they’d never talked about their feelings.

Once Sten had joined the academy to train as a knight, his life had been about strength and training to be the best. Weakness had no place in a knightguard’s life. And emotions made you vulnerable.

But his and Carys’ abduction at the hands of the Gek’Dragar and everything they’d been through on this planet had left him with weakened defenses.

His chest heaved. They trekked in silence, following a rough path that led up a hill. He scanned the landscape, but there was thankfully no sign of the Gek’Dragar.

“You don’t love me.” The words were torn out of him.

Carys slowed and whirled. Her hands clenched at her sides. She strode up to him, pink in her cheeks, then poked him in the chest.

“You do not get to tell me what I’m feeling or not feeling, Thorsten.”

“Carys—”

She poked him again. “No.”

“This is a dangerous, emotional situation—”

She growled. “Yes, and it’s made things clear to me. We could’ve died numerous times. Life is short, and you shouldn’t hide things.” Her gold eyes were angry. “I love you. I’ve loved you for years. You’re strong and certain and loyal. You’ve always been there for me.” She bit her lip. “And you’re tall and rugged and…” Her gaze drifted down his body.