“Why are you so against him?I know he’s changed.I’m not the same as before, so why should he be?But I trust that he’s a good man, Sterling.The rest we will discover together.”
Sterling frowns.
I know he dislikes my leaving, but surely, he must see that there is little to fear.
“Aha!Here you are.”
My face splits into a smile at the sound of Lucky’s voice, and between one blink and the next, he’s crossed the courtyard and spinning me around.
“Hello, love,” he says, his eyes sparkling.A sudden lightness has eclipsed all other senses, tilting the world, even after I’ve regained my footing on solid ground.“You’re more beautiful than I remember.”
So is he.Lucky’s smile is wide and free.It’s a direct strike, weakening my defenses immediately.
I bow my head in greeting, noting how he has not retreated to the safe distance typically respected among unwedded couples, much to my brother’s chagrin.He strides across the stone in long steps, giving the dirt covering myeverythingthe raised brow of disappointment.
Behind me, I feel Sterling looming.He’s always been protective of those entering my space.
It doesn’t matter.All that I care about is here before me, in glorious flesh and blood.Propriety be damned, it’s so good to finally, finally see him.
He grew fast as a child, taller than me from an early age, but, my, he’s grown.Not just in height, but in build.Oh.His tailors should be praised; they have crafted clothes that complement every inch of him.His hair is tied back, his skin glowing in the morning sun, almost as brightly as his smile.
Oh, how I’ve missed him.
Lucky darts his gaze over my shoulder.He leans in, smelling of woodsmoke and earth after rain.“Say, there’s a rather fetching man behind you, attempting to end my life with his thoughts.Is he a friend of yours?”
“I can use my sword if you’d prefer,” Sterling growls.
Something wicked dances in Lucky’s brown eyes.“Is that a promise?”
I’m hot all over.
Louis claps Lucky on the shoulder.“Sterling is Mia’s personal guard, and though you’ve been trained by the best, perhaps we should hold off on any duels until after the wedding.”
There’s a collective pause, and I hear Sterling sigh before the heat of him steps back.It isn’t often that he acquiesces, and I can imagine the valley between his brows growing deeper in frustration.
“I do find it’s much more enjoyable to get to know my opponent before we cross swords,” Lucky teases.
He’s warm to the touch, and he doesn’t seem to mind my inability to stop putting my hand on him.I can’t help it.He’s here.Real.My senses are alive.
“How are you, friend?It’s been far too long.”
“Surely, that’s an improper greeting for your betrothed,” Lucky teases, and the relief of having my dearest friend back in my life becomes complete.
I should never have doubted.Sterling’s warnings dug under my skin, but Lucky stands before me, as familiar as my own voice.
“How are you, husband?”
“You’re not married yet,” Sterling clarifies, but Lucky ignores him.
“I’m infinitely better now that I'm here.Shall we walk?I’ve been promised a tour of your lovely home, and I can think of no better guide.”
I nod, eager to relearn who he is.Ignoring the rules that say Lucky and I should not be alone until the night of our wedding, I cautiously slip my hand into his, marveling at the feel of it.His skin is surprisingly rough around the edges, reminding me of Sterling’s hands instead of those of a noble.
As we leave the room, I hear my brother say, “I trust you’ll look after her,” and it isn’t until I hear footsteps following us that I realize he was speaking to Sterling and not Lucky.
I stop in the hall and turn to him.“We don’t need a chaperone.”
Sterling’s frown is etched in.“I disagree.”
