Page 85 of Onyx Cage: Volume II
Her lips parted, already waiting for me.
“For the show.” I ghosted the words against her mouth in a small bit of retribution for her earlier threats.
Then I finally gave in to the endless temptation of her perfect lips, sealing my mouth against hers with a reminder and a promise of who she belonged to.
Who she would always belong to.
The kiss was short, and relatively chaste for the sake of the king who was somewhere in this crowd looking for an excuse to end my life, but it still reverberated through my body, the tension between us humming in pleasure like it had a life of its own.
I forced myself to break away from her, forced my features into a semblance of my usual smug mask, when I straightened to face the crowd.
Rowan inhaled a sharp breath, her eyes glazed and her cheeks flushed, and satisfaction flowed through me.
“I bet you aren’t thinking about stableboys now,” I teased her quietly.
Her lips formed an offended “o,” and I could practically hear the wordaalioemanating from her very soul.
The crowd roared around us, but I could still hear her quiet, snarky response.
“As a matter of fact, I am.”
I might have been bothered by her denial if she hadn’t been wearing her lie face, the hand pressed against my chest clutching just a bit tighter than it had before.
She was claiming me as surely as I was her. She was just better at lying to herself about it.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Ihalf expected Rowan to resume her visits to my rooms again after the festival, but she seemed to be doing her very best to avoid me outside of our mandated interactions.
Though there were no more bitter mutterings, there was still a marked distance between us that lent weight to the idea that she would decide to live here. But of course, that was one of the many things we didn’t discuss.
Truthfully, the list was much smaller of what we did discuss, limited almost entirely to the planning of our Lochlannian wedding. In Socair, since the weddings were planned at the future husband’s estate, it was not uncommon for men to participate in the preparations.
In spite of that, Rowan still seemed surprised every time I gave my opinion, like she was expecting me to disappear into the sparring room and abandon her to the entire onus of our mutual wedding at any moment. Her opinion of me never failed to be flattering.
Nevertheless, I had been trained to adapt to the culture of whatever clan we were visiting, and this wasn’t entirely different from that. So though I had exactly zero opinions on the unending number of sickly sweet confections our guests wouldbe subjected to, I still tasted every last one and helped her narrow the number down to something less excessive.
Then came several sketches of an enormous cake, each design more lavish than the last. A few were themed, either on the night sky or the forest, and one was even draped in tartan. They were…interesting.
I might have believed I was alone in that assumption were it not for the vague look of horror that passed over Rowan’s features. Though my betrothed and I had never had much occasion to discuss style preferences, I considered the gowns she had worn since I arrived.
Avani rarely stepped out of her rooms in anything that was not sewn through with tiny beads or jewels, while Gwyn had a sparkling jewel-studded scabbard, and the queen boasted a collection of crowns and jewelry that were intricately modeled after various things in nature.
By contrast, Rowan’s gowns were simpler, elegantly draped fabrics with subtle patterns of embroidery.
I exchanged a look with Rowan, whose opinion was very much on display. Before she could make a mortal enemy of the excited chef, I cleared my throat.
“These are all impressive, to be sure, but I believe my betrothed would prefer something a bit simpler.”
“I would, yes,” Rowan confirmed a bit too eagerly. “With the same white flowers we chose yesterday.”
The man pursed his lips thoughtfully, like he was both considering solutions and whether or not he should be offended.
Jocelyn gave a sharp nod. “Of course, that’s why we chose you, Master MacMillan, because your talents are so diverse. If anyone can rise to the challenge of topping even Princess Avani’s wedding cake with far fewer adornments, I have every confidence it will be you.”
“Especially with an event that means so much to Lochlann. Truly, you have the Crown’s gratitude,” Queen Charlotte added with a sincere smile.
The two were clearly used to working in tandem, with Jocelyn’s efficiency and the queen’s warmth.