Page 75 of This Prince Is Not Charming

CHAPTER 34

Cillian

Ceri placed her hand in mine, and I swept her up in my arms as we whirled around the ballroom.

“You’re looking lovely. Where’d you get the dress?”

She rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched, and that was the moment I knew she’d already forgiven me.

“You’re not looking so bad yourself. Especially for someone who’s spent the last few weeks in bed.” She squinted. “Though I do spot a wrinkle.”

“Cerriwen Morgane, we don’t joke about wrinkles.”

She lifted a finger and brushed it over a spot above my eyebrow. “Right there.”

I blinked, dazed at how the simplest brush of her finger could send shockwaves through my body. “Maybe wrinkles aren’t so bad after all.”

“Maybe not. I also see some gray in your hair.”

“Now you’re just being mean.”

“Oh please.” She shook her head, golden curls luminous and bouncing.

We continued to twirl to the music, the energy between us feeling different, crackling. Maybe it had always felt this way but I’d been too numb to notice. Or maybe something had shifted.

“We both know that you will only look better as you age. It’s something about you Wolfgang brothers.” She winked. “Besides, I wouldn’t mind seeing a little gray in those dark waves.”

“I’m sorry, did you just wink at me?”

She flashed me a dazzling smile, both dimples peeking out, her entire face lit up and stunning, and it was hard to believe I’d ever wanted to numb the way my heart pounded at the sight of her, at the feel of her in my arms.

“That’s my move, you know,” I said.

She gave me an exasperated look, the kind she always gave when I said something ridiculous. “Your move?”

I nodded. “Yes, everyone knows I’ve perfected the wink. You stole my move.”

“You do know that you’re not the only one who winks, don’t you? If memory serves, Marsten winked at me earlier tonight.”

“That may be, but I have the best wink. Melts hearts.” I leaned in and lowered my voice, feeling bold. “And panties.”

Ceri sucked in a sharp breath, eyes flashing with heat, and that emboldened me further. I didn’t care about the trials, about Castle’s plans, about anything but this woman in my arms and letting her know that I wanted her to be mine if she’d allow it.

But I couldn’t declare my feelings for her until I’d gotten something out of the way first.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I’m so sorry for what I did.”

Her face sobered. “I know.”

“Are you angry with me?”

“Yes,” she said. “Mostly I’m just sad that you’ve spent the last decade numbing yourself, missing out on everything. All our games, our jokes, our adventures, and you didn’t feel any of it.”

I swallowed. “Not exactly. The heartstopper didn’t drown out every feeling all the time. It just made them more manageable. But I know it was selfish. I know I put us all at risk, and I hate myself for it.”

She moved her hand to my cheek and forced me to look her in the eye. “You don’t need to hate yourself, Cillian. You need to forgive yourself and do better like you promised all of Fairwitch you would.”

“I know. I will. I’m going to work at healing.”