Page 63 of Crimson Kingdom
My heart gradually slowed to something only slightly faster than normal, and the noises of the festival crept back in.
“As long as you know the reverse is true as well.” My voice came out more breathlessly than I intended.
He nodded, a single, sharp dip of his head. “Then we have our terms.”
Do we?
Our regiment of guards followed us closely as we wound our way around the festival.
Tension thrummed between us, but my arm never left Evander’s. We walked up and down the makeshift aisles, stopping to patronize the merchants and food vendors.
I took a deep breath through my nose, inhaling the heady aroma of sweet dough, custards, and chocolates before my feet were guiding us toward one cart in particular.
“Good day, Yer Highness,” the couple behind the cart greeted with a bow. Their expressions were more hesitant when they looked up at Evander.
“This is Laird Evander of Clan Bear,” I offered, and they dipped their heads in acknowledgement. “I thought he might enjoy one of your delicious waffles.”
The older woman gave a reluctant smile and nodded, passing over a glazed confection. I paid her husband handsomely, then reached out for the treat.
“Thank you both.” I turned to Evander. “Van Van, you must try this,” I said, fighting a smile as I broke off a small piece of the sweet dough and brought it to his lips.
“Van Van?” he asked quietly, amusement dancing in his eyes.
I shrugged.
His full lips parted, and he accepted the morsel. I gently brushed my thumb against his lower lip, the barest whisper of a touch, before sliding my hand back to my side.
I told myself I just did it for his reaction, not because I wanted to feel the silky-smooth skin of his lips against my fingers.
He made a low murmur of pleasure before swallowing. My eyes went directly to the way his throat bobbed, and I wondered what the hell I had gotten myself into.
“Delicious,” he said in a low tone, turning back to the couple who was now smiling at him. “It was a pleasure to meet you both.”
“Ach, nae, laddie,” the woman said. “The pleasure was ours.”
Little by little, we worked our way around the festival. By the time we made our way to the games, several people had approached us to meet Evander or to offer their congratulations and well wishes.
With every interaction, we continued our show for the people of how invested we were in this engagement.
Or, at least, that’s what I told myself as Evander and I continued to challenge each other with small comments or displays of affection that absolutely were not bringing back memories of the way his lips felt against mine.
Though he still wasn’t precisely smiling, nobles and commoners alike seemed to be drawn in by him. When he spoke, people listened, and eyes followed us wherever we went.
I would have assumed it was because he was Socairan and a novelty had I not seen it in action in his own kingdom.
Of course, there were the outliers, and more than a few people who didn’t approve of me any more than they did Evander. The crowd gathered around the gaming arena was particularly opinionated.
“...Hooring around even before she went to Socair.”
“Only one reason to marry that quickly.”
“...and to think this is the second laird.”
I rolled my eyes, having heard a version of all of this before. My reputation had been mediocre before I left, which wasn’t entirely deserved. But then, it wasn’t entirely undeserved either.
Evander’s features, however, darkened to something far more murderous than his usual cocky smirk. His hand twitched toward his sword, and I shook my head.
“I know everything in Socair is punishable by death or dismemberment, but we don’t react to a little gossip here,” I said, though I was fairly certain he wouldn’t have actually drawn his weapon. Probably. “Besides, you should hear what they say about Davin.”