Natiselle -

There is no other word to describe what I felt. Well, except for maybe bliss. I could feel the sun streaming through the open windows, it tickled my cheeks with tendrils of my hair. I stretched and spread my fingers out, expecting to brush against him. They were met with only sheets. I opened my eyes and found nothing but an empty bed.

Maybe he had gone out for food.

Maybe he got caught up in something.

No.

He left.

-Few Days Later-

Fuming, I strutted down the hall. Each click of my boots seemed to goad me even further into a rage. How dare he? He thought he could do that to my heart and then just leave without so much as a word! No conversation, no letter, not even a message left with a maid. I had to find out from Aelina.

Oh, I thought you of all people would know.

Know what? Spit it out Aelina, I have no patience for your games.

Stris left a few days ago with a full saddlebag. He would not tell me where he was going.

The wretch looked so pleased with herself when she told me. I did not feel better when I shoved her out of my way.

Now, I did not know what to do, or where to go. I only knew to keep moving. But my feet betrayed me. Before I knew what I was doing, I was standing in front of his door.

“Miss – ” a maid started.

“What are you looking at?” I roared.

Her eyes widened and she stammered before running off, clean linens went flying out of her basket as she escaped.

I cursed and rested my head on his door. The Blackwood cooled my forehead ever so slightly, but did little to comfort me. I weakly brought my fist to the door and felt a little better. I did it again. And again. Each was time a little harder until I was slamming my fist into the door.

“What did that door ever do to you?” asked a familiar baritone.

My hand froze mid strike. With my hand still in the air, I turned to see the idiot grinning like a damn fool.

“You!” I thrust my finger into his chest.

“Me,” he said calmly.

“You cannot do that!” I was so angry I was shaking.

“Do what?” He was grinning at me.

“I- I,” my palms were getting sweaty and I wanted to kick things. “You left! I told you how I felt and then you left. If you did not feel the same way, you could have said something.” I jabbed my finger into his chest with each sentence.

“Nati,” He wrapped his hand around mine mid jab and pulled it into his chest. “I would never run from you.”

I struggled to pull my hand from his grasp, but he would not let me go.

“You terrify me in ways that you cannot imagine and yet I know that I will always be running towards you.” He put his other hand on my cheek.

“Let go of me,” I spat before his words sunk in. “What?" I stammered and froze. "What did you say?”

“Gods above, all my pretty words are lost on you,” he murmured and he brought his lips to mine. They were firm and soft and tender and, and, and–

I was so shocked that I stumbled backwards.

“You cannot just go around kissing people!” I exclaimed. “Especially after you slip out like a thief in the night!” I knew that I was not going to win this fight, nonetheless that did not stop me from trying.

“Nati, you made the first move!” He finally let go of me as he threw his hands in the air. “I am the man, I am supposed to tell you my feelings first!”

“That is an imbecilic rule! Why can I not do what I want!” I yelled back.

He ran a hand through his hair and thrust the other into his pocket. “Would you let me hold onto my traditions? You did not give me enough time!”

“Time for what?” I gestured wildly.

He pulled out a beautiful thin bracelet of gold inlayed with a single, tiny emerald. “For this. I wanted to court you properly.” He growled. “The goldsmith was not finished.”

“You!” I sputtered; I had no words for how I was feeling. So, I tackled him. I flew into his arms and kissed him with all the might I could muster, all my anger.