She was easily the most breathtaking woman in the room. And judging by the stares she’d garnered already tonight, Carver wasn’t the only man to think so.
“You’re the beautiful one,” Amryn returned quickly. And it was true. Carver’s younger sister was undeniably beautiful. She wore a lavender gown that he personallythought was cut too low, and her dark chestnut hair fell in loose waves down her back. A pearl necklace circled her delicate throat. Her makeup was lightly applied, like Amryn’s. Neither woman needed it.
Elowen grinned. “How about we’rebothutterly beautiful?” She sobered a little as she said, “I’m so relieved you’re all right.”
“Are you well enough to be here?” Carver’s father asked Amryn, his concern obvious. “You’re not in too much pain?”
“My arm is sore,” Amryn admitted, “but I’m all right.”
“I’m glad you felt up to coming,” Elowen said. “I’ve been looking forward to seeing you again.”
Amryn had released Carver’s arm when his sister had hugged her, and he missed the contact. He set his hand against her lower back, the warmth of her body bleeding through the soft material of her dress and heating his palm.
Elowen scanned the space behind them. “Is Ford here? Father mentioned he’d arrived today.”
“No,” Carver said. “He’s resting.”
“Ah. I suppose I’ll be claiming my winnings later, then.”
Amryn frowned at Elowen, while Carver scowled. “Don’t tell me you took part in his ridiculous bet,” he grumbled.
Elowen grinned, her blue eyes sparkling. “I did. And while I didn’t guess the red hair, I was right about the northern half of the empire.”
His father sighed. “Amryn, let me apologize now. Ford facilitated bets concerning what Carver’s bride would be like.”
Amryn’s eyes widened. “He did?”
“If I’d known it was happening, I would have stopped it,” Carver assured her. “But I found out after the fact.”
“We couldn’t be at the wedding,” Elowen said. “We needed to be involved somehow.”
Carver shook his head. “I completely disagree with your logic.”
“Are we talking about Ford’s bet?” Morelli asked, appearing beside them. “I lost completely on that one.” He sent Amryn a smile. “I’m glad I did, though, because I can’t imagine anyone more perfect for Carver.”
Carver could feel Amryn relax marginally beside him. This was the first time she was interacting with Morelli outside an official meeting. She’d given her report to him and Keats on the rebels in Esperance yesterday, and this afternoon they’d met with them again—as well as the emperor and his father—to discussher proposal to infiltrate the Rising. Carver’s misgivings remained, but everyone else was eager about the plan. Catching several members of the Rising—in the palace, no less—would be a massive blow to the Rising. Samuel had already agreed to help, and so had Ivan.
Now, they just had to wait for Bram to make contact again.
Distracted by his thoughts, Carver missed what led Morelli to say to Amryn, “If you need any embarrassing childhood stories about him, I’m happy to oblige.”
Carver groaned, while Cregon and Elowen chuckled.
Amryn’s lips twitched. “I’ll keep that in mind,” she assured Morelli.
He winked. “Please do. Though, all joking aside, Carver is an extremely good man.”
“He is,” Amryn said, and something in Carver loosened at hearing her verbal agreement.
Morelli elbowed Carver’s arm lightly. “I think you’re rather lucky,” he said conspiratorially.
Carver met Amryn’s gaze. “I’m well aware.”
Her cheeks pinkened.
Would he always feel a thrill of satisfaction when he made her blush? Saints, he hoped so.
Elowen let out a dramatic sigh, her mouth curved up at both corners. “You two are adorable. Your love story is an absolute fairy tale. I’m so bloody jealous.”
