“Don’t worry about me. It’ll be fine.”
I know him so much better than I did before. Once upon a time I’d have looked at him and all I’d have seen was that façade of arrogance and self-confidence and I’d have believed him. I wouldn’t have been able to fathom that anything could harm Beaufort Lincoln. But now I see through that façade, now I know more about his life and his family, I can see the hint of hurt lurking behind those steely eyes.
“Are you sure?” I say, and I know he knows that I know. He’ll face consequences for breaking the Empress’s rules but he’s prepared to do it for me.
“I am.”
I nod, walking towards him and stopping right in front of him. I lean into him and he wraps his arms around my waist as I kiss the crown of his head, cradling his face in my hands. “Thank you,” I whisper to him so that no one else can hear.
“Ahem,” Fly says, clearing his throat exceptionally loudly, “that dinner isn’t until tomorrow evening, right? So what are we going to do in the meantime? Are we like, confined to your apartment, Beaufort? Like prisoners?”
“No,” Beaufort says, frowning uncomfortably like he just swallowed a wasp, “we’re free to come and go as we please – as long as we don’t leave the palace compound.”
“So,” Fly folds his arms over his chest, “that means you can give us a tour.”
Beaufort grimaces and Dray groans loudly.
“That sounds like an excellent idea,” I say, nodding my head.
“I think I’ll go visit Hells Bells,” Dray says, leaping to his feet and sprinting towards the door.
“She’s in the middle of her lessons!” Beaufort calls after him.
“Great,” Dray says from the doorway, “I’m a genius at Math.”
“Is he?” Fly asks, looking skeptical as the door clicks shut behind the shifter.
“What do you think?” Beaufort mutters.
I step towards him and take his warm hands in mine, attempting to pull him to his feet.
“Come on,” I tell him. “I’d really like to see more of your home.”
He grimaces again, and I’m torn by my curiosity – wanting to see and understand more of this place – and the eagerness not to hurt him. But seriously, how can this place hurt him? It’s luxurious, comfortable, and beautiful.
“I think she deserves a tour,” Thorne says from the other side of the room, which decides Beaufort.
He lumbers to his feet but doesn’t let go of my hand, holding it firmly in his.
“Okay then,” he says with a big sigh. “I’ll give you the tour.”
He walks us to the door, then halts and glances towards Fly and his feet.
“You may want something a bit more practical,” he says, motioning towards the tight, heeled boots Fly is wearing. “This place is huge.”
Fly tuts at him. “This outfit was carefully curated, Beaufort Lincoln, and I am prepared to bear the pain for the price of looking good.” He pats at his hair.
Beaufort sighs again and pulls me out of the apartment.
We can hear squealing and giggling from the next door, and an older lady’s voice clearly attempting to restore order.
“Do you need to go in there and sort things out?” I ask Beaufort.
A smile hovers on the side of his lips.
“No,” he says. “She’s having fun – for once,” he adds. “Let’s leave them to it.”
I’m guessing the nursemaid has other ideas, though, because we’re halfway down the staircase when the large doors open and Dray comes tumbling out, the door slamming shut behind him.
