Read Online Goddess of War by K. N. Lee - Free Book Online Page B

quickly following to stand beside him.
    Aric glanced at Prince Eryon. “Hello, Eryon. You look smashing,” he said to the prince, and his eyes went back to the beauty at his brother’s side.
    “Good evening, Aric. Welcome home,” Prince Eryon replied, his jaw tightening as he watched Aric look the girl up and down.
    “Raina, is it?” He took her hand within his.
    She was warm without the gloves.
    She beamed at him, her eyes seeming to sparkle. “Yes, Prince Aric. I am Raina.”
    Aric didn’t let go of her hand, but nodded for her to come with him.
    “You’ll join me for a moment,” he said.
    It wasn’t a question.
    She looked back at her brother, Eryon, and the plain girl at his brother’s side, as if asking them if it was okay. They all looked stunned by what was happening.
    She didn’t tell them about that night.
    It was their little secret. Now, he didn’t want any secrets between them anymore.
    He didn’t care what anyone else thought. The only one that seemed pleased by Aric’s bold actions was Raina, and Arela.
    When neither of them gave her the permission she sought, she made the decision on her own.
    “Yes,” she said, and allowed herself to be led away.
    Aric didn’t let go of her hand. He never wanted to let her go ever again.
    There was something special about this girl, and he would not sleep until he found out what that was.

 
     
    HE DIDN’T FORGET me, Raina thought with a grin.
    Raina still held the hand of her prince. Her cheeks felt warm as they walked through the path made by the crowd of guests. They all stared at her with curiosity.
    She’d barely had time to notice the incredible decorations and the gowns and masks of the other guests. She tried to take it all in, but her heart pounded in her chest as she glanced up at Aric’s face.
    His blond hair was cut a little shorter, and his face was smooth and free of facial hair. He had grown older, but even more attractive.
    Raina stared at him curiously.
    Something had changed about him, now that she had a closer look without slamming her swords into his shield. A hardness that wasn’t there before.
    He had seen things.
    Done things.
    Her heart went out to him. She wanted to hear about everything that had occurred while he was away.
    She glanced back at her brother, her eyes catching on Prince Eryon’s face.
    He watched her, his face stern.
    Oh, she thought, realization filling her. He has feelings for me.
    She swallowed, unsettled by that notion.
    It didn’t matter at that time, Prince Aric was back. That was all that mattered. She’d smooth things over with Eryon at another time.
    “You kept your promise,” Aric said, giving her hand a squeeze.
    She beamed up at him. “I told you I would.”
    “That you did.”
    “How was your journey around the world?”
    Prince Aric led her inside the banquet hall and up to the balcony. Inside servers handed them goblets of wine.
    Raina peered into her cup, seeing the red liquid ripple with each step they took further into the hall. The strong aroma made her raise her eyebrows. She’d never had wine before. Allan warned her against it.
    Excitement to try it filled her, making her grin as she took her first sip. It was strong, but had a pleasant flavor of blueberries and cherries.
    She took another long sip before looking back up at Aric.
    “Not as exciting as this moment with you,” he said.
    Raina blushed. He was even more charming than she remembered. Three years hadn’t changed him too much. Perhaps there was hope for something to develop between them.
    “You’re too kind.”
    Raina stood on the golden crested balcony and gawked at the amount of food being set in the banquet hall. She was excited. Tonight she could dance, laugh, and drink wine.
    Raina simply wanted to be a normal girl. Just for one night.
    She gripped the gold railing and her jaw tensed when she saw the man from that day on the street outside Olia’s shop. He entered the room, walking slowly, his arms held out at