Chapter 42 Fourty-one

• She was at a loss for words, so she bit her lip. She had always been aware that he was persistent in his pursuit, but there was something in his tone that now made her catch her breath. She had grown accustomed to the king's lighthearted banter, but this was something different. Something that posed a far bigger threat to her feelings.
• She could feel her own determination waning and her mind wandering as his thumb followed the curve of her jawline. It was difficult to think clearly around Alaric because he was so nearby.
• "I didn't come here to—" she started, but as he got closer, the weight of his stare left her speechless, and she could hardly speak.