Enchanted(Encante, #1)
Page 32
Chapter 27: Then I met Sy
Jayde
Sy had really made an effort this weekend. I had been forcing myself to not think about Kohl even though I was worried sick about him. He had almost been killed and I was in Encante-South unable to do a thing.
Thankfully, Sy’s plans had kept me preoccupied. We spent Saturday walking through Encante-South. He showed me everything. Even things I wouldn’t normally care about through Sy’s eyes were interesting. He had a back story for every stop and it was entertaining to hear him talk without a facade of propriety.
I still had some reluctance to whether he was involved in Antonio’s attempt, but he had been so genuine these last two days. I finally started to believe him.
We had dinner at another ritzy restaurant and ended the night with another swim. Sy was happy to switch forms, but never pressured me. It wasn’t something I wanted to do without Kohl. I felt safe with Kohl, with Sy I was still trying. We swam in human form trading stories about our childhood. I learned a lot about Sy.
His childhood had been hard. Although he was the only one to be raised by a parent, his father had been cold and cynical. It made me look at Sy differently to hear about the harsh punishments his father placed on him and the strict upbringing that led him to do what he had done so far. I forced myself not to cry as I looked over the nasty scars on Sy’s back. His father had been a monster and I was hoping Sy didn’t end up following in his footsteps. I was starting to understand why Sy’s thoughts hadn’t traveled past his own castle. Revenge tended to blind a person to anything other then accomplishing their goal. Sy had realized his error. At least, I hoped he had. I still wasn’t sure what would happen once I returned to Encante-North.
“I have one for you.” Sy said swimming closer to me. It was hard to deny that he was gorgeous under the moon light. I had a hard time keeping my lust and the old Jayde at bay, but I did because I could never doubt I was completely in love with Kohl.
“Okay.” I conceded.
“Will you forget this when you go back to Encante-North tomorrow?” His gray eyes were hard to read under the moonlight.
“Forget what? You? Encante-South.”
“This.” He said swimming closer. There was barely any space between us. I was sure he was going to kiss me. I tensed not sure what I even wanted anymore. I loved Kohl, but the Sy I met this weekend had me questioning if I had given Sy a fair chance. Would I have fallen in love with him if he found me first? He didn’t move he just treaded water staying close to me.
“What are you waiting for?” I asked not even recognizing the hoarse whisper that was my voice.
“I told you the next time we kissed you’d be the one that wanted it.” A devilish smile lit up his beautiful face. I splashed water into his face and took off swimming to the shore. He was catching up to me even though I pushed myself to swim faster. He grabbed my foot and pulled me back to him.
“How will you ever know if you picked the right king if we don’t kiss?” He challenged voicing my exact thoughts. I loved Kohl, but was I blinded by that? What if Sy really was the better man? Did I need a kiss to tell me that? The last two days in Encante-South had stolen all of my confidence. I was so sure I was going to continue to hate Sy and his arrogant ways. Yet, I was barely an inch from him, wanting to kiss him. Did he have this planned all along? “Well?” He asked a dark eyebrow raised waiting for my answer.
I took a deep breath hoping I didn’t regret this. I closed the distance between us. This time he didn’t press. He wasn’t cold and commanding like he had been the first time. His arms wrapped around me pulling me closer to him. His mouth opened and he let me lead the way.I deepened the kiss and felt Sy pull me closer until my body was completely against his. I pulled back and looked at him. My chest tightened. I closed my eyes willing myself not to cry. I had betrayed Kohl, not with a kiss. I had wanted Sy. That kiss had been magical. I had felt something I never thought I’d feel for anyone, but Kohl. What had I done?
Sy’s hands dropped from my waist as he saw the horror on my face. “You know I’ve been told I’m quite the kisser.” He said with a smirk that was supposed to lighten the mood.
“I think I should go to bed.” I said starting back to the shore again.
“Jayde. Wait.” Sy said chasing after me.
I didn’t wait I swam harder. The game was over. I didn’t want to play anymore. I had done something I was sure to regret. When had I developed feelings for Sy other then loathing?
I almost made it into the castle before Sy caught up with me. He grabbed my wrist. “What has gotten into you?” I turned to him letting my anger show.
“Was this your plan?” I snapped shoving him. “How could I ever think you had changed? You only wanted to prove that I was easily swayed. I love Kohl. I love him no amount of kindness, and...and kisses is going to change that.”
Sy stared at me stunned. “Sounds to me like you aren’t as sure as you thought you were.” Sy replied back darkly. I swallowed the overwhelming feelings of nausea I was having at my betrayal.
“Why couldn’t you leave me be? Why did you have to act differently? I don’t need anymore confusion. I have a kingdom to learn to run.” The tears ran down my face without my permission.
I fought Sy as he tried to pull me into a hug. I gave up as he pushed away all my worries. “You will run the kingdom wonderfully. I have no doubts in your abilities. Only someone that is truly meant to rule could acclimate to all the changes you’ve endured in such a short time.” I wrapped my arms around him and cried. He kissed the crown of my head and just whispered sweet things about how much he believed in me until I stopped. Where had that come from?
“Why? Where has this change come from?”
He looked at me with hooded eyes. “I guess I should just lay all my cards on the table. You are leaving tomorrow.” He took a deep breath and his eyes locked with mine. “Since I met you and you dismissed me I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. The disdain you felt for me.” He shook his head like he was trying to ward off bad thoughts. “It made me reevaluate what I believed. I changed because of you. You held up a mirror and showed me all the miserable things I had done. I know I don’t deserve you in any way, but you’re all I want, Jayde. I only want you to see me and be proud of me, maybe even love me.” He looked away not wanting to show me the hurt he was feeling.
I kissed him again despite the foolishness of it. Somewhere along the way my feelings for Sy had shifted and I cared for him in a way I didn’t understand yet. He pulled away first searching my face for some answer I’m sure I didn’t have.
“I didn’t do it for you to feel sorry for me. I understand I lost.”
I glared at him waiting for him to just shut up. “I would never, ever kiss you because I feel sorry for you.” His eyes widened.
“Do you...?”
“I don’t know what I feel for you, but I like you, Sy. I think this side of you should stay around not only because of me, but because Encante would embrace this side of you.” I pressured hoping that he won’t forget the great guy he buries away if I don’t choose him. He deserved to be happy too.
“I guess I should let you go to bed.” He said deflated. He walked past me and held the door open for me to come in from the cool night.
I walked in and went to my bedroom. The gorgeous bedroom that Sy had decorated for me. All signs of exhaustion had left with my increased anxiety over the hell that was going to happen when I went back to Encante-North.
I sat here convincing myself that nothing had changed. I still loved Kohl. He was everything I wanted and needed. No amount of time with Sy was ever going to change the way Kohl made me feel. Yet, even as I thought the decision was made. My thoughts shifted. Sy didn’t deserve to lose everything. I cared about him and having to see him through the fallout of this treaty was making me reconsider again. Nothing was coming to me. I could never in good conscious make the decision to take everything Kohl or Sy had known away from them.
I heaved a sigh of exasperation. Whatever I decided I was hurting a man I cared for and that was the hardest thing to process of all.