"I'm taking Abby with me to see if there are any snake people that need to be dealt with," Finn said.
"Are you out of your mind? She can't even run as fast as you, and how are you going to protect a defensive human?"
Finn rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the confidence in me, boss."
"It's not you I'm worried about, but it's not easy to have someone with you that you need to protect while also trying to win the fight."
"I won't allow anyone to harm her."
I watched as Annette stormed off, clearly hurt. I struggled to bring my attention back to Finn.
"Able, she'll be fine."
"Okay, but I don't want her to have a scratch on her."
He nodded. I observed them both walking away and couldn't help but smile at the way Abby laughed at Finn's jokes.
A few minutes later, I found Annette sitting on a log. She smiled through her tears as she watched the monkeys chase each other through the trees. They were curious creatures, always peeking at us to see what we were doing but also keeping their distance.
"You okay?" I asked.
She wiped a fresh tear from her eye when she saw me. "I'm fine."
"If you were fine, you wouldn't be crying."
I walked over to a tree and sat down with my back against it.
"It's just… nobody wants me," she said, unable to make eye contact. Her words broke my heart.
"What are you talking about?"
"Elias chose a different girl last night, and you wouldn't even kiss me."
I frowned and looked down at my hands, nervously twirling my fingers.
"Annette, you don't want to be with me anyway. I'm your king. I'm the leader. Do you really want me to be your lover too? Just imagine the stress it would bring into our relationship."
"I think you're just using that as an excuse."
I rubbed the back of my neck and felt the sweat on my hand. She might be completely right.
"Maybe I am. Maybe I want you just as much as you want me."
I felt her gaze on me, her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open.
"What's so shocking about that?" I asked.
"That you would want me."
"Come here." I patted the spot next to me, and she walked over and sat down.
I gently cupped her face in my hands, and she looked up at me with her beautiful green eyes.
"You're so damn beautiful," I said, running my finger over her lower lip.
"I know you find Abby more appealing." She pulled away from my hold.
"Annette, stop with this whole Abby situation."
"But you do, Abel."
"When she first walked into the room, I thought she was beautiful, but I clearly remember thinking she was the second most beautiful girl in the room."
She offered me a half-smile.
"You were and always will be the most beautiful girl in the room to me."
I leaned in and kissed her intensely, pulling her into my lap. My desire surged, and all I wanted was to lay her down and begin taking off her clothes.