Page 13 of Hollow Court

He shot me a demanding look. They must treat their guards very, very well in Lochlann for this one to have gotten so spoiled.

“You must be an only child,” I mused aloud.

He arched his brow, wincing slightly as it pulled open the cut on his forehead.

“Technically,” he said, letting the word linger in the air alone.

When it was clear he wasn’t going to expound until I did, I sighed and answered his question. I wasn’t sure why I cared, but I found myself unusually curious.

“My father had no sons and a great deal of knowledge to pass along.” It went without saying that it had been in secret.

Davin was many things, but he wasn’t thelaskipaahe let people believe he was. At least, not entirely. I had gleaned that much just by observing him this past week.

A long beat of silence passed between us, his ocean eyes watching as I worked on blending some cedarwood oil, sage, and a bit of honey to help with the concussion he undoubtedly had.

When it was ready, I handed him the small cup, forcing him to drink down every drop.

“So ‘technically’?” I pushed.

He nodded slowly. “I had cousins, and a close friend who was like a brother to me. We all grew up together and spent our summers together at their…house.” He abruptly changed the subject. “Why were you on that rooftop?”

Because I’m even more of a prisoner in this kingdom than you are.

I schooled my features, having no intention of answering that one.

“Where else are you injured?” I asked instead, taking the empty cup from his hands.

He raised both of his eyebrows this time, but only responded with, “my abdomen.”

I looked to where his tan-and-navy jacket was buttoned securely over his chest. A flush rose to my cheeks before I could stop it.

It was ridiculous. It was just skin. I had seen plenty of men without their clothes on. In Clan Ram, men and women sauna-ed together. This would be no different.

Of course, he noticed. The uninjured corner of his mouth tilted up, causing the smallest dimple to appear in his cheek.

“Don’t worry, Lady Galina. I promise not to seduce you,” he assured me in a voice that was most certainly designed to do just that.

“How very comforting,” I said, my tone brisker than I felt. “In turn, I promise not to let you.”

I gestured for him to unbutton his jacket before I could think better of it.

As soon as his fingers went to deftly undo his buttons, I averted my gaze, busying myself with…well, nothing. There was nothing to do except stew in how awkward this was and wonder whether I was a liar for the promise I had made.

Whether we both were.

FIVE

Galina

Present Day

Though I had returnedmy father’s farewell, it still seemed impossible that I wound up standing outside of Davin’s door, having only narrowly missed the queen’s exit.

Davin stopped midway through his sentence, the teasing smile dying from his lips.

I had spent hours pacing my room, planning for this moment, this conversation, but now that I was here, all of the breath abruptly fled from my lungs.

We stared at each other for a long moment while I attempted to gather my wits about me.