“Right. Because he’s yourfriend.”
“That sneer isn’t attractive, Seven, and you’re acting childish.” I place my hands on his chest and lean in until my face is close to his. “Are you jealous?”
He shrugs. “Why would I be jealous of a man who can walk down the street holding your hand without everyone and their brother losing their shit over it?” His emerald gaze drills into me, brutal in its intensity. I guess when he puts it that way, it makes sense. He’s the luckiest man in Devashire. I’m the thing he wants most, and yet he can’t have me. It’s making him crazy.
I take his face in my hands. “River was there for me the night of the Yule ball. He was a friend to me before that, but he truly supported me then in a way no one else could. And he’s been a good friend to me since I returned to Dragonfly.”
“Yeah, River’s an all-around great guy.” His tone is wooden, and he blinks up at me slowly.
“I’m not interested in River and never will be. I’m in love with you.”
The corner of his mouth tugs upward. His hands land on my face, and he kisses me gently. “I know why you want to go,” he says. “But this isn’t about jealousy. Ashgate is a dangerous place. We should go together.”
“I don’t think so. I think River will be more open with me if you’re not around. He doesn’t trust you the way he trusts me.”
He squeezes his eyes closed. “You’re not going to be talked out of this, are you?”
“No.”
“Can I convince you to take my personal security with you?”
“Would it ease your mind?”
“Yes.”
“Then yes.”
“Fine.” He flashes me a disarming smile. “Will you join me tonight for a late dessert?”
“I do like to end the day with something sweet.” I kiss the corner of his mouth. “I might be able to stop by after graduation dinner, but it will depend on Arden. She’s probably freaking out after everything that happened today.” I give an exaggerated sigh.
“That reminds me. I have something for her.” He reaches in his pocket and pulls out a jewelry box. “Something from my collection.”
I balk. “Not your secret collection? A charm?”
He nods. “Tell her not to use it until I have a chance to talk to her about its… properties.”
“Is it safe?”
“For her? Yes.” The intonation on thatyesholds a slight question, as if he’s not entirely sure about his answer.
I shoot him an exasperated look. “What are you giving our daughter, Seven?”
He leans back in his chair. “Hopefully one more reason to stay in Devashire.”
* * *
The forms tovisit Ashgate Prison are five pages of bureaucratic hell. They ask for my name, address, income, and highest level of education, and there are no less than fifty questions about why I want to visit the prisoner. As the cherry on the shit sundae, they must be completed in triplicate, each form only slightly different than the last. Mercifully, the pixie at the window of the administration building is a friend of River’s. She speeds my application through. My phone rings before I even reach home, and she informs me she’s cleared me to visit in two days’ time.
Poor River. Two more days seems like a long time to be locked away without a friendly face. But it’s the best I can do.
“Mom!” Arden meets me at the door, still dressed in her gown and laurel. I hug her and kiss her cheek.
“I’m sorry it took so long. River is in real trouble, and I’m trying to help him.”
“I can’t believe he killed that man.” Arden’s eyes widen.
“That’s because he didn’t.”
