“You say that now,” he muttered.
She lightly slapped his arm with the back of her hand.
He grinned. Then he took her completely off guard by leaning in and brushing a soft kiss against her lips.
Her eyes widened as he eased back. She felt eyes on them. Knew his family was watching. Her throat felt a little dry as she said, “That was a strange response to my hitting you.”
“When it comes to you, I think my first impulse willalwaysbe to kiss you.”
Her blush increased, heat scorching her face. Especially when Elowen called out, “Does that kiss mean you’ve convinced him, then?”
Carver’s dimple flashed as he gave Amryn a private grin. “Let’s never tell her that you could convince me of anything,” he whispered. “She’d be utterly merciless.” He turned to face his smirking sister as he said more loudly, “I don’t think a whole contingent of guards is necessary. Ford and I will be coming, though.”
Ford saluted without looking up from his cards.
“Fine,” Elowen said with a nod. “It should only take a couple of hours.”
Ford’s head snapped up at that. “To try on adress?”
“It’s far more than that,” Elowen protested. “Piera is an artisan, and art takes time.”
Ford grumbled. Elowen might have responded, but Alora interjected.
“Goodness, it’s gotten late,” she said, peeking out the window. “It’s far past time we got to sleep.” Groans echoed from Fowler and Wren, but their mother would not be swayed. “I can’t sleep until you’re all settled, and I’m past ready for my bed. Say your goodnights, please.”
Wren and Fowler obediently bid Amryn and Carver goodnight, and the young boy scooped up the small dog from Amryn’s lap before trudging from the room.
Carver rose to his feet before helping her stand. The movement as he drew her up was fluid, his touch gentle but his strength undeniable. His rough skin was deliciously warm against her hand. His thumb traced a soft line. “Well, they officially love you more than they love me.”
“That’s not true.”
“It’s a little true.” His lips quirked. “I don’t blame them.”
She didn’t answer because they got swept up in the goodbyes as everyone moved into the entryway, where a couple of Jayveh’s bodyguards had stationed themselves.
Jayveh and her brothers emerged from the library. “I can’t thank you enough for taking such good care of them,” the princess said to Alora and Cregon.
“It was our pleasure, Your Highness,” Alora assured her, beaming at the two boys.
Jayveh pursed her lips. “I hate to ask for more, but can my brothers stay with you a little longer? There has been some danger at the palace, and I want to keep them away from that.”
“Of course,” Alora said at once. Concern lit in her, but her eyes flickered to the boys, and she clearly thought better of asking what the danger was.
“We want to stay with you, though,” Zavi, the youngest of the boys, said to his sister.
Kehv, the older of the two, looked more serious than his thirteen years as he said, “We can protect you now, Jayveh. General Vincetti and Keene have taught us a lot.”
Tenderness filled Jayveh as she viewed her brothers. “I’m sure they have. And I want you to be with me more than anything. But I need you to stay with the Vincettis a little longer. Please.”
The boys were reluctant, but they eventually nodded.
“You’re welcome to visit any time you’d like, Princess,” Alora said. “Treat this home as your own.”
“Thank you.” Emotion throbbed in Jayveh, too mixed to easily pull apart. But soul-deep gratitude was prominent.
Cregon would be remaining at the townhome with his wife tonight, but he still ducked outside to ensure the carriage was ready to take the rest of them back to the palace.
Alora embraced Amryn warmly. “It was so wonderful to meet you. I’m sorry we didn’t have much time to talk. Hopefully we can arrange another visit soon.”
