“Are you alright?” Mar lays a gentle hand on my shoulder. I shake my head reflexively.
“You don’t hide it very well,” she says with a knowing smirk.
“Hide what?” I tilt my head, looking at her.
She heaves an exasperated sigh, resting her hands on her hips. “I have eyes. I’ll just say this.” She leans in and rests a hand on my arm.
“Be careful.”
* Cue:ICUby Phoebe Bridgers
* Cue:My Funby Suki Waterhouse
20
Iam seated across from the ladies at a wrought-iron table canopied by a massive umbrella. The shade is a welcome defense against the unusually hot day. The sun beams down in strong rays, making everything extremely bright.
A hand over my eyes, I slide my gaze to the lawn below the patio, where Kai, Dover, and Zadyn are engaged in a game calledSignette. From what I glean, it’s similar to croquet, with the small wooden clubs.
The ladies and I sip honeyed iced tea with lemon to keep cool. The excess breeze from Sorscha and Cece’s hand fans wafts toward me, and I welcome it with relief.
“Cousin,” Sorscha says, eyeing me keenly. I bring my gaze toward her. She jerks her chin in the direction of the players below. “What do you think of Kai?”
Marideth groans, ripping off her wide-brimmed hat and flopping her head onto the table theatrically. Cece gives a snarky chuckle under her breath. I glance between them all, confused.
“Sorscha,” Mar murmurs in warning. She holds up a pink-gloved hand that complement her sun-kissed cheeks.
“I was just asking!” Her doe eyes are wide with innocence as she turns back to me. “He’s rather handsome, isn’t he?”
I glance toward the lawns where the males are collected. Kai stands there, leaning on his club, his shirt and jacket unbuttoned, showing off his washboard abs. As if hearing the mention of his name, his attention snaps toward us. He offers a flirtatious smile that reeks of mischief before turning back to his game.
“He is. Unfortunately, man whore isn’t my type,” I say offhandedly. The ladies burst into a laughing fit.
“Oh, cousin.” Sorscha sighs, wiping the tears leaking from the corners of her eyes.
“For someone raised in a temple, you’re rather sharp, you know.” Cece eyes me.
“Not sure that’s a compliment, but I’ll take it.” I sip my tea.
“Sorscha is desperate to marry Kai off during his stay, so she doesn’t have to do it.” Marideth gives her a knowing look. The princess sets her fan down on the table and sighs.
“Is that a crime?” Glancing between the ladies, she continues, “To want to see one of my oldest friends settled and happy?”
“Let’s face it, he’ll never be settledandhappy. It’s one or the other for Kai. Remind you of anyone you know?” Marideth raises her brows at Sorscha, who blinks before turning her attention back to the game.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she says, chin in the air. Mar rolls her eyes. After a time, she looks back at me with a sigh.
“Kai and I are old friends,” she explains, “and while I can appreciate our similarities?—”
“What she means is she can appreciate that they’re the sameperson—” Mar corrects, bumping me with her elbow.
“We are only friends,” Sorscha emphasizes. “A match between us would never work. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want the best for him. And cousin, you are the best.” She smiles proudly.
“I’m not really the marrying type.” I press my lips together.
“Promiscuous?” Cece gibes, earning an elbow from Ilsa.
“Particular,” I reply in a honeyed voice to rival her own.
