Page 53 of Mermaid on Heels
Luke met her awed gaze and took her hand in his both ones. “Of course, you and your sisters will live at my castle for the duration of your stay.”Which I hope will be permanent.
He needn’t say it, she read it from his eyes.
“Do the rest of the elites get to keep their sisters or their family members with them, or is it just me?” She partially knew the answer, but she was curious.
“Just you,” he said, his eyes as soft as his words.And only you.
Stop reading his eyes!Liriya scolded herself.
“Do you think the others would think it is fair?” she asked. “Would they not ask why my sisters are with me and where our parents are?”
Luke squeezed her hand in his assuredly. “Liriya, I promise I will take care of that. No one will question you. We’ll come up with a cover story.”
Liriya nodded, somehow feeling the assurance of his words. “Alright.”
“Would someone care to tell me what’s going on?”
Liriya turned to Cedric and realized he was still there. It seemed that Luke hadn’t acknowledged his presence too, as he asked, “I didn’t know you were still here.”
Cedric shot him a teasing grin. “Happens when you look at someone like they hung the moon and the stars.”
“What…” Luke’s eyes widened slightly at his cousin’s blunt words. He composed himself and shook his head at him. “Just be on your way, Ced.”
“Was about to, but I’m not going to remain oblivious to what’s going on.” He shook a finger at Luke as he turned to walk away.
“Please forgive my brother.” Luke turned to Liriya, rubbing his temples with his free hand.
She smiled and shrugged in response. “He is a good man. I assure you, I find his attitude refreshing andnotirritating.”
Luke chuckled, dropping his gaze to the floor between them. The movement caused a lock of his dark hair slip and fall over his forehead, and Liriya stared at his face.He is so beautiful.
“Thank you,” she said suddenly.
Luke’s gaze snapped up to meet hers, eyes softening with that look again. He stared for a moment before asking, “For allowing you to bring your sisters with you? Oh Liriya, it is my—”
“No, that is not entirely it,” Liriya cut off his words, looking at him with earnest eyes. “Yes, I am thankful that you are bringing my sisters to stay with me, truly. However, what I was trying to say is… Thank you, for making tonight the night of my life since the moment I entered the ballroom.”
“You just stole my words, Your Highness.”
Liriya chuckled at his sarcasm. “I had no idea, Your Majesty. I assume then, we are both equally thankful for tonight.”
“And for each other,” Luke added, his eyes shining with sincerity. “Thankyou,Liriya, for making tonight the night of my life since the moment you walked in through that doorway and for giving me a chance to know you, for agreeing to be one of my elites.”
Liriya blushed but held herself composed. “And thank you, for making me stand on your boots for the dances to save me from making a fool of myself out there, for taking me away to your mother’s garden and sharing your story with me, for…” She trailed off and hesitated for a moment, before continuing, searching his eyes, “For seeing me for who I truly am and no less.”
“Oh Liriya…” He sighed her name and she didn’t stop him this time. “You are perfect. Believe me when I say you are ten times better than the actual human girls I have met and have danced with in my years before. I’ve never met one like you, and it’s not because you’re a mermaid-turned-human, but you areyou; kind, humble, loyal and dutiful to your kingdom, determined and fierce about what you believe, responsible for your sisters…” He shook his head with a soft chuckle. “I can’t believe it’s been only a few hours since we officially met and yet I’ve learned this much about you. You’re special Liriya, in all ways that you don’t realize.”
At that precise moment, Liriya stopped questioning her humanism. She looked away from him and blinked to take back her unshed tears, all while shaking her head with a solemn expression despite how his words enveloped her in their warmth.
“Yet I feel like I am letting my people down.”
“You’re not,” Luke said firmly but gently, and grabbed her by her shoulders, making her look at him. He opened his mouth to say something but hesitated and closed, just before he repeated, “You’re not, Liriya. Don’t blame yourself for it, don’t feel guilty.”
Liriya took a deep breath and nodded. “Thank you.”
“Anytime.” He dropped his hold from her shoulders in time for Liriya to see Cedric walk into the hallway towards them, over his shoulder.
“The chariot awaits!” Cedric called out as he approached them. Liriya waited for him to make a humorous remark at them, as if it was expected of him all the time, and was surprised when he didn’t.