“Such an enthusiastic eater you are.” Sawyer swept his thumb across Kuya’s lip, wiping away a dusting of crumbs. “What am I to do with you, sweet boy?”
“Just love Kuya.” His rainbow eyes sparkled as he smiled at his prince. In those eyes also existed a glimmer of grief. “For as long as Prince Sawyer can.”
Their time was limited. The reminder caused a sinking in my gut. Once Sawyer married Lady Alina, he’d be forced to leave Bremloc and move with her to Voltas. Kuya wouldn’t be allowed to go with him.
Sawyer quietly cleared his throat and dropped his hand back to his lap, looking at me. “It’s a relief to see you back on your feet. I’ve been sick with worry ever since the attack. Briar reassured me you were on the mend, yet it’s been weighing heavily on my mind. Forgive me for not reaching out sooner.”
“It’s okay. No worries at all.” I sat up straighter in my chair as servants brought the tea and poured our cups. Being waited on hand and foot was something I’d never get used to. Further proof I wanted no part in living the life of a royal. “Besides, you’ve been busy. Hearing petitions, sorting through important documents, and attending council meetings, all while preparing for the ball tomorrow.”
“Ah, yes. The ball.” Tension tightened the skin around his eyes. “Quite the grand affair it will be. Nobles from Bremloc and other cities will be in attendance.”
“That’s a lot of people. Good thing Miles and I have an awesome menu planned,” I said, wishing I could take away that sadness in his voice. “Along with the cake, we’ll be serving vanilla petit fours, dark chocolate truffles, lemon cupcakes, and cookies. Coffee too, of course. I’ve been tinkering with a recipe that has notes of bourbon.”
“Sounds lovely. I look forward to tasting it.” Sawyer added sugar and a dash of cream to his tea and slowly stirred. “Perhaps the only part I’m looking forward to.”
“We’ll have a blast.” I doctored my cup, adding way more cream and sugar than he did. “We can stuff our faces with cake and let loose on the dance floor. Make it a real party. Just don’t let me near the wine. Otherwise, I’ll be jumping up on a table and stripping down to my underwear in front of all the nobles, giving them a show they’ll never forget as I twerk.”
“What is a twerk?” he asked.
“A type of butt dance.”
Sawyer almost spat his tea. “Pardon?”
“You squat, put your hands on your knees, and wiggle your butt,” I explained. “I’d show you, but I’ll need at least two glasses of wine first.”
Though faint, a rasping noise came from the far corner. Rowan. As expected, he hadn’t left my side since the carriage.
“Evan is so silly,” Kuya said, his lids dropping. He looked like he could use a nap.
My silliness worked though. Sawyer smiled.
“Apologies for the delay, my loves.” Rose entered the room, pushing a cart stacked with plates and platters of various sizes. She was the head chef in the castle kitchen and made the best quiches I’d ever tasted.
“No apology needed,” Sawyer told her. “We’ve been enjoying chatting over tea. Which is remarkable, by the way.”
“If you think the tea remarkable, just wait until you see what’s beneath the cloche.” She lifted the lid. “An apple tart. Your favorite.”
“You’re too good to me,” Sawyer told her.
“You deserve nothing less, Your Highness.” She sounded like she meant it. The castle staff adored Sawyer. That adoration was unmistakable with every glance and soft smile when in his presence.
Kuya’s lids fluttered open, and he became more alert, tail lifting into the air behind him. He leaned forward and sniffed the other platter. “Did Rose bring crab cakes?”
She smiled at him. “Do you think me mad, Master Kuya? As if I’d forget them.”
The demi-cat’s grin widened, and his tail flicked faster.
“Gratitude, Rose,” Sawyer said after she situated the food on the table. “You’ve once again outdone yourself.”
Along with the apple tart and crab cakes, she’d brought quiches—bless her—mini sandwiches, a selection of fruit, and shortbread cookies.
“It’s my absolute pleasure, my prince. Once you’re wed and shipped off to Voltas, I won’t be able to…” Rose swallowed hard and almost lost her composure before forcing a shaky smile. She flicked her hand and turned back to the cart. “Oh, never mind my rambles. I’m merely a sentimental old woman. Please excuse me.”
She moved with haste to push the cart from the room, keeping her face away from us until she was out of sight.
Sawyer frowned at his plate. The urge to hug him returned. He looked absolutely miserable, sad and frustrated at the same time. His future had been chosen for him, and he’d had no say in it.
I needed to distract him.
