I turn away from the sun’s caress to look at Slade, who’s watching me with something on his expression that I can’t quite read.
I give him a small smile. “I was lying back and enjoying the sunlight so much that I didn’t even think to get a proper look at your kingdom.”
He continues to study me, and I wonder for a second if I’ve said something wrong. But then he tells me, “How would you like it if I showed you around today?”
My heart skips a beat. “You mean...leave the castle?”
“Would you like that? To see the city?”
“Would Ilikethat?” I repeat breathlessly. “I...” My words trail off, like I’m too overwhelmed to speak them. Aside from the trip from Highbell to Ranhold, I’ve never been allowed to leave the safety of the castles I’ve been kept in. “Walk out into the city, just like that?” I ask.
He nods.
“But...” I look around at the guards. “But I’mgold,” I point out.
Slade’s lip quirks. “So you are.”
I take a quick step toward him and lower my voice. “People will recognize me as Midas’s gold-touchedpet,” I say, spitting out that word with disdain.
“They might, yes,” he replies with a nod. “This isyourlife, Auren. If you wish to stay away from prying eyes, then that’s what we’ll do. But you don’t have to hide here. You are nobody’s pet to be kept. Your life is your own, and the choice is yours.”
The choice is mine.
So unprecedented. Choices have never been mine, so I don’t want to waste a single one.
“I don’t want to stay inside anymore.” The confession rushes out of me, like the words are afraid that if they don’t speak quickly enough, the opportunity will be taken away.
He grins, instantly making my own lips tug up. “It’s your first day out of the snow and the cold. I think that’s cause to celebrate.”
I smile so wide that my cheeks hurt, but then it falters. “But what about Manu? Don’t you have things you need to handle now that we’re back?”
“Manu and the kingdom can wait for one more day. You’re more important.”
My heart feels like it swells and does a flip all at once. “Are you sure?”
He places his hand at my back—verylowon my back—the tips of his fingers grazing the curve of my ass as his voice tilts down close to my ear. “Come on, Goldfinch. Let’s go exploring.”
Exploring.
I can’t deny the thrill that goes through me at that word. With a grin, I race ahead for the stairs, and I feel a rush of air when my shirt rides up just a little too far. I clamp my hands down on the hem at my butt, looking over my shoulder. “Whoops.”
Slade’s eyes are zeroed in on my ass. “Eyes are still up?” he calls over his shoulder.
“Yes, Sire!” three voices shout back.Quickly.
With a face that’s half exasperation and half amusement, he makes his way to me until I can feel the warmth of his body at my back. “Come, Lady Auren,” he practically purrs. “Let’s go get you some clothes before I forget all about exploring and decide to clear the castle so I can exploreyouinstead.”
My breath stutters.
“Honestly, that’s a good second option...”
He chuckles darkly behind me, making me tingle all over, just as he gives my ass a little tap. “Get moving.”
I practically float all the way down the stairs.
I end up wearing simple brown leggings and a black tunic, both of which are soft and comfortable and so much thinner than I’m used to compared to the thickly woven fabrics in Sixth and Fifth. Slade gives me a cloak as well, and because of habit and precaution, my gloves are securely over my hands.
The others opt to go to the city with us, but when I try to talk Digby into staying, he just glowers at me and then walks off to get ready.
