Under his unrelenting gaze, the restraint within Caelith finally shattered.
Her eyes reddened as she glared at him, all the grievance she had suppressed spilling forth at once.
"Yes—I was jealous!" she burst out. "I could not bear to see you treat her so well! You grew up together—you smile at her, listen to her, allow her such closeness… and what of me? What am I to you?"
By the end, her voice trembled, tinged with tears.
She was ashamed of her own inconsistency. She hated the idea of not being able to resist his charms, yet at the same time, she loathed the idea of not having him entirely to herself even more.
Rhaegar looked at her—fierce, wounded, and utterly unguarded—and his heart softened beyond measure.
He lowered his head and brushed a gentle kiss against her lips, his voice low and hushed.
"Foolish girl. I treat her kindly because her father once saved my life. What lies between us is nothing more than the bond of siblings—nothing else."
Caelith stilled.
