“You sound just like him.” He walked over to the tray and tore off a piece of bread.
“Dead realms. Was that his response? To remind you of our place? Was he angry?”
“Hard to say. He’s a lawyer and counsel to a king. Difficult to read is a defining characteristic for men like him.”
“Where do things stand with the contest?”
“Lord Calex won the logic round. As expected. But geography and history are subjects I know, so he couldn’t take all the points. And now it’s weapons and fitness. He’s a good shot and he’s fit, but I’m a Ketturan warrior.”
“Let them win.”
“No.”
“Linc, listen to me.”
His cool green gaze slid to her face and then over her body. She shivered. At times, he made her forget she was anything other than the pet she’d played on the spa liner.
“Please listen,” she repeated. “Please?”
“I’m listening.”
“I know you can win. And it was so sweet and thoughtful of you to try to arrange something I wanted, but someone like Lord Calex—I don’t know him well, but I know his reputation. He’s dangerously clever, and he’s the chief advisor to a very powerful king who never loses a negotiation. I don’t want conflicts with these families. The princesses have been kind to us. The Calexes have been kind to us. Let’s not jeopardize important new friendships because I had a silly whim.”
“If he’s so clever, why would Calex let the contests be one logic and two sports? Lord Evston is paid to think many steps ahead. His brother commands a powerful army. Don’t you think Rocurt considers strategy, too? They gave me the advantage on purpose.”
She tilted her head, feeling very confused. “I don’t understand.”
“You don’t understand because we’ve only been married a few hours.”
Giss waited.
“If he wanted to reciprocate, to show off his beautiful wife who he knows you admire, but he didn’t think it would be appropriate to outright agree or if he thought she might hesitate, then what?”
“Then he loses a wager or a contest, and it becomes a matter of honor?”
“Exactly.”
“Maybe.” She chewed the edge of her lip. “Possibly.”
“If it still worries you, I’ll withdraw.”
“Just like that? And say what?”
“Nothing. No explanation.”
“No concern over losing face?”
Linc shook his head. “I started this to win a gift to give to you. If the gift won’t make you happy, there’s no reason to win it.”
She stood and wrapped her arms around him. I love you, she thought.
* * *
In the evening, Larsinc drank with the brothers, but didn’t try to keep pace with them. Physically they were very different, with Rocurt tall and dark and Evston average height with blue eyes and light hair. They both possessed sharp wit, which he enjoyed.
Part of Larsinc’s attention stayed on Gissandre who laughed easily while playing a board game with the princess and the commander’s kitten. He didn’t know whether Giss lost every game on purpose, but her lively conversation had the other two women leaning in and laughing with her.
“Gissandre fits squarely in the center of that trio,” Lord Calex said, running a hand through his hair and disturbing the expensive styling.
